CZR Is Right About Fake Phones, But Getting Rid of Them Could Hurt More Than Help

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has had it up to here with the fake smartphones on the streets of our towns.

In a statement this week, the CZR called for immediate and coordinated government action to stamp out the open trade in counterfeit, refurbished, and fraudulently marketed electronics.

As quoted by The Herald, CZR president Dr Denford Mutashu said:

The CZR, representing the interests of formal retailers and wholesalers across Zimbabwe, is gravely concerned by the growing infiltration of counterfeit, refurbished and fraudulently marketed electronic goods, particularly smartphones, tablets, laptops and related accessories, within the Harare central business district.

We are writing to formally request your urgent intervention and collaboration in conducting a multi-agency enforcement operation targeting these illegal activities, which have reached alarming levels and are undermining the integrity of the retail sector, defrauding unsuspecting consumers and weakening regulatory compliance.

They’re not talking about a few Dubai style phones in hidden shops only. They’re looking at CBD pavements where these knockoff gadgets are sold in broad daylight.

According to the CZR, this craziness is eroding trust in the sector, cheating consumers, and threatening the survival of legitimate retailers who pay their taxes and duties.

Hence their call for a multi-agency enforcement blitz. Get the cops, ZIMRA, city councils, everything. Round it all up.

CZR is right about the risks

Hard to argue with that. After all, it’s true that:

• Many gadgets being sold out there are not what they claim to be. Some are fakes, others are refurbished but sold as new.
• Worse still, some are stolen and then sold.
• Consumers do sometimes get duped, especially when fake phones are pimped up and boxed like the real thing.
• Legitimate retailers are under pressure. It’s hard to compete when your rival on the street corner is selling what looks like the same phone for a quarter of the price and doesn’t have to worry about taxes or rent.

So yes, CZR has a solid case. But, and there’s always a “but” in Zimbabwe, things are never that simple.

That $40 Galaxy S25? Nobody thinks it’s real

Let’s talk about that $40 Galaxy S25.

Everyone knows that’s not real, right?

The CZR says that consumers are being tricked, and yes, some absolutely are. There are people who buy a device that looks legit thinking it’s the real Samsung deal, only to find it has the performance of a 5-year-old itel and the durability of an over-ripe avocado.

But for many others, there’s no deception. They know a genuine Galaxy S25 doesn’t cost $40. They know the “iPhone 14 Pro Max” they’re buying has a suspiciously thick bezel and runs Android. And they still buy it.

Why? Because that’s what they can afford.

In a country where a genuine budget smartphone can cost months’ income for some households, the fakes fill a gap the formal sector simply can’t.

It’s easy to talk about protecting consumers from fakes. But it’s harder to talk about what happens when the only alternative is to just not have a phone.

Consumers aren’t clueless, and neither are street vendors

There’s another reality CZR might be underestimating: many of the vendors selling these gadgets do offer both counterfeit and genuine options.

They’ll show you a $45 “Samsung” and a $120 Tecno and let you decide. And most buyers, if we are not to insult their intelligence, aren’t naive. They weigh the price and take the gamble with eyes wide open.

Is that ideal? Not at all. Fake gadgets can pose real safety risks, especially sketchy chargers and batteries. And yes, some vendors will lie about what they’re selling. But most buyers understand they’re not getting flagship gadgets for mbudzi money.

A crackdown without alternatives will hurt the poor

So, what happens if the enforcement blitz succeeds?

Let’s say police and customs officials crack down hard. No more fake phones in the CBD. That would be great, right?

Well, yes, for formal retailers like us. But for consumers prices will go up. Access goes down.

Last I checked, the Zimbabwean government/ Ministry of ICT are all about leaving no one and no place behind. That would be pretty hard to achieve when people have no gadgets to use.

And the informal economy, which supports millions of livelihoods, would take yet another hit.

I condensed (with help), what I think needs to be addressed to solve this problem. Whatever solution we come up with has to include:

• Import duty cuts to make genuine low-end electronics more affordable.
• Public education campaigns that help consumers make informed choices, without mocking them for being poor. We try to do this at Techzim but way more needs to be done so people know what to look out for in these streets.
• Partnerships with budget-friendly brands like Itel, Tecno, or ZTE to flood the market with affordable options.

CZR has a point, but there’s more to the story

The CZR is right to be concerned. Trust in the sector matters. So does consumer protection. But removing the counterfeit market without offering something in its place won’t fix the problem. It will just move it even deeper underground and that’s where people would be exploited even more, uko ndokunorohwa matumbu manje.

Zimbabwe’s electronics sector doesn’t need a war on fakes. It needs a plan that the government commits to for affordability. But will Mthuli stomach a cut in import duties if it meant the problem is solved?

Before you go looking for a $40 Galaxy S25

Just a gentle reminder: we do sell genuine phones here on Techzim. With warranties and deliveries. You know you don’t get that combo every day in Zimbabwe.

So if you’re tired of phones that self-destruct after a week, or just want peace of mind for once, check out what we have in stock. No judgement if you still go with the $40 special, we get it. But when you’re ready for the upgrade, you know where to find us – HERE.