Source: Sugar syndicate bust: 3,6 tonnes seized – herald
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has seized 3,6 tonnes of sugar repackaged in fake Tongaat Hulett bags and arrested a Harare woman in connection with the illegal operation.
Spiwe Mutandwa was arrested on Saturday evening following a raid at a residential property in Southlea Park.
ZACC said officers found a truck loaded with 2kg sugar packs bearing counterfeit Huletts branding.
A scale and packaging equipment were also recovered from the premises.
“The truck, the sugar consignment, and the packaging equipment were seized and will be used as exhibits,” the commission said.
Mutandwa has been charged with fraud and contravening Section 84(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act (Chapter 26:04) for forgery of registered trademarks.
She will appear at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on 31 August 2026.
The seizure comes as the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) steps up enforcement against counterfeit goods countrywide.
CPC board chairperson Commissioner Respina Zinyanduko said last week that fake products were now affecting major brands.
“Recent seizures of counterfeit Huletts sugar and Eversharp pens, as well as fake Nivea and Shield Sheen products, show that even well-known brands are being targeted by counterfeiters,” she said.
Between January and July 2026, the CPC carried out 12 105 inspections, resulting in 1 615 prosecutions. The sale of expired goods led with 572 cases, followed by failure to display prices with 471 cases.
ZACC urged the public to be vigilant and to buy from registered retailers only.
“The commission warns criminal-minded people against repackaging consumable products in fake-branded bags and selling them as genuine products,” it said.
Consumers were advised to check for tampering, spelling errors and proper seals.
Reports of suspected counterfeit, expired or illegally repackaged goods can be made to the CPC on Econet 080 803 23 and NetOne 080 123 01.
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