Market Inspection on the supply of Maize

In pursuit of its mandate of protecting consumers from unfair trading practices, the Competition and Fair Trading Commission has been undertaking inspections to maize selling points in some districts.

During the inspections, the Commission visited privately owned and ADMARC warehouses as part of a monitoring exercise for the availability and accessibility of maize to consumers. Over the past two days, our inspectors have visited maize selling points and warehouses in Lilongwe, Mchinji and Dowa districts.

Through the inspections, we have noted with concern that some traders are engaged in conducts that clearly violate the Competition and Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Protection Act.

Some of the unfair trading practices that have been reported to us are as follows:

• Withholding maize supplies or hoarding with the intention of triggering a price increase.  
• Use of incorrect measures or weights with a view to deceive or mislead consumers.
• False representation regarding the weight of maize sold to consumers.
• Unconscionable conduct through charging excessive prices which are exploitative to consumers

In view of these findings, the CFTC would like to warn all maize traders in the country that withholding of goods for speculative purposes is prohibited and constitute a criminal offence under Section 43(1)(g) the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA) and Section 6 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

It is also an offence for traders to use incorrect measures or weights or any other forms of misrepresentations. Likewise, Section 43 of the CFTA prohibits traders from charging excessive prices which are exploitative to consumers.

The CFTC would, therefore, like to warn all maize traders in the country to cease and desist from engaging in the above conducts. Any trader found engaging in these practices commits an offence which attracts a fine of MK500,000.00 or an amount equivalent to the financial gains of the offence, whichever is higher, and five year imprisonment upon conviction.

CHARLOTTE WEZI MALONDA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR