INAE warns against false inspectors

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INAE warns against false inspectors

10:33 CAT | 04 Jan 2018

In file CoM

The government is concerned at criminals who pass themselves off as inspectors from the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) in order to extort money from businesses.

Speaking at a Maputo press conference on Wednesday, INAE General Inspector Rita Freitas said that, when an INAE brigade arrives at a shop or other establishment, the owner must demand to see its credential, or the official card which all INAE inspectors must carry, and in the event of any doubt, the owner should denounce the supposed inspectors to the authorities.

Freitas encouraged shop owners to take photographs of the inspectors, and send them to INAE to confirm whether these visitors are genuine inspectors or not. In any case, they should never pay any money to inspectors.

Freitas also advised consumers not to be deceived by “promotions” whereby establishments sell goods very cheaply. Such goods often prove to be approaching their expiry dates.

She reminded consumers that it is a legal requirement for establishments to keep a complaints book. “If we go to an establishment and are badly treated, we must demand the complaints book so that we can put our protest in writing”, she said. “If we do that, businesses will change the way they behave”.

Speaking at the same press conference, the Deputy National Director of Domestic Trade, Susana Mafuiane, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade had ensured, throughout the festive season, that basic supplies were available, sourced either locally or through imports.

Goods in greatest demand included chicken, eggs, potatoes, tomatoes and onions. With the exception of eggs, all these goods were made available in sufficient quantities, said Mafuiane.

The authorities worked closely with the main importers to ensure that goods were imported smoothly, with no breakdown in supplies. “There were imports from South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe, among other countries”, she said. “As far as the availability of products is concerned, we can draw up a positive balance sheet”.

It had been feared that stocks of potatoes might run out. But in addition to imports, there was high domestic production, and the same was true for tomatoes and onions.

Source: AIM