ICCC warns businesses: Don’t use election to overcharge

SHOPS and the businesses must not use the election period to overcharge goods and services, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) commissioner and chief executive officer Paulus Ain says.
Ain said this following the announcement of its exercise to check on retailers to ensure prices of essential items listed for control due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic did not increase.
This exercise will last 90 days and also covers the election period.
“The period is for 90 days but we do not want businesses to use the general election as an opportunity to overcharge,” Ain said.
“During this period where everyone is in election mode, cash flow is very high and the temptation by the business community is to try and rip off (customers) and the experiences are there.”
Meanwhile, Ain said in a previous price control measure under the National Pandemic Act 2020, ICCC had collected about K430,000 in fines from businesses house for price gouging and prosecuted two business houses, with some still in court.
“It is a warning to the businesses, and that is something we want to avoid,” he said.
“Compliance is an important thing and we do not want to create a situation.”