Saturday, November 30, 2024

Government destroys K174bn worth of pirated items

Share

A fake fanta drink packaged in a bottle of Coca-cola was seized in Lusaka .

Government yesterday destroyed over K174 billion worth of pirated products confiscated by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) at Lusaka International Airport in January.

And Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha called on line ministries to help find resources to fight piracy and sensitize the society on the dangers of the vice.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said production of counterfeit products would only be reduced if concerted efforts by line ministries and stakeholders are brought together.

Gen Shikapwasha was speaking yesterday when he officiated at the launch of this year’s destruction exercise of pirated audio and video products in Lusaka.

The minister said the high level of school-going children found in possession of pornographic materials is worrying.

He implored law-enforcement agencies to find a formula which will help curb the trend in schools.

Gen Shikapwasha said as Government gives support to stakeholders, there is also need for intellectual property rights experts to sensitize ministers and politicians on piracy so that the political will is there to intensify the fight against piracy.

Earlier, intellectual property rights specialist Kingsley Nkonde said there is an urgent need to clear counterfeit markets for the fight against piracy to be won.

Mr Nkonde said ways should be found to charge the perpetrators of piracy with money laundering because of the way they generate their income.

He supported the minister’s suggestion to involve politicians in the fight against piracy, saying they would help identify genuine products.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

21 COMMENTS

  1. Ok guys nangu nima Gonga how stupid can one be to put ‘Fanta Orange’ in a Coca Cola bottle?
    Ubu bwapala ubupuba mwe!!

  2. People Coca cola and Fanta is one company,so in Eastern province when you sell the drinks they tell them never to worry atfter all it is under one company.That is not strange to see that in zambia, cry the beloved country, welcome China to Zambia

  3. Pa Zed pena evverything is a joke. Where is the source of these products ? That is what they should be imforming the public !!

  4. Zed has become a dumping ground for the Chinese. As you sign for contracts that you think can benefit the country that is what you get.

  5. Mr Minister, Why not help the people involved in pirating come up with their trademark and an acceptable standard of products? Why should you use money ( by hiring equipment) to destroy money ( Pirated stuff) when all you can do is to channel that money meant for hiring the bulldozers, to the establishment of our own industries already started by our friends in the streets? K174 billion is just too significant a sum to make a difference in our economy 😕

  6. They mean well but honestly all that gone to waste? Is there no way of confiscating and fining, but then distributing the products to the les fortunate, i believe there is no harm in these products just the fact that they are unauthorized production. Such a waste K174 billion? my heart keeps clenching when i see that figure!

  7. Kakola ya Olenji!! This should be a good one. Some things are beteer done with impunity. Say NO to piracy of any type of goods. You know that even kogeti kuli nyo chipa!!

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading