CCPC recovers K4.8m for aggrieved consumers

By MUBITA KATETE

THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said it recovered more than K4.8 million on behalf of aggrieved consumers in 2025 through cash refunds, product replacements, repairs and other forms of redress.

The amount, totalling K4, 861, 391, represents money consumers would otherwise have lost through defective products, poor services and unfair trading practices had it not intervened.

Of the total amount recovered, K3, 090, 091 was paid out as direct cash refunds to consumers, while K1, 771, 300 was provided through non-monetary remedies, including product repairs, replacements and the re-performance of substandard services.

The figures were presented during a media training workshop aimed at strengthening journalists' capacity to report on consumer rights and competition enforcement matters.

The commission also disclosed that it resolved 1, 145 consumer and competition cases in 2025, compared with 1, 477 cases handled and concluded in 2024.

Speaking during the workshop in Lusaka, CCPC executive director Eunice Hamavhwa expressed concern over limited media coverage and the misinterpretation of its regulatory decisions and enforcement actions.

Ms Hamavhwa said the challenge was largely attributed to gaps in journalists' access to information and understanding of the commission's mandate and operations.

"We believe these challenges do not stem from a lack of interest on the part of the media. Rather, they reflect a gap in access to the right information and a deeper understanding of the Commission's work," she said.

She said accurate and responsible media reporting was critical in raising public awareness of consumer rights and promoting fair competition in the economy.

"Informed and responsible media coverage contributes significantly to raising public awareness of consumer rights and the importance of fair competition," Ms Hamavhwa said.

She added that accurate media reports empowered consumers to make informed decisions, while an informed consumer base contributed to competitive, transparent and fair markets.

"When media reports accurately, consumers become better informed, and when consumers are informed, markets become competitive, transparent and fair," she said.

Ms Hamavhwa said such an environment contributed to economic growth and supported Government's broader development aspirations under the Grow Zambia agenda.

Ends.