The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has warned traders in Ndola against selling second hand under-wear.
ZABS Public Relations Officer Lee Haamunji said in Ndola today that those found selling second hand under-wear will face prosecution.
Mr Haamunji explained that wearing second hand under-wear was unhealthy and urged Zambians to stop buying used under-wear.
“We have been sensitizing traders against selling second hand under-wears. Second hand under wears are not safe for people because they have health risks. In the Zambian tradition when a person dies, that person is buried together with their under-wears, relatives are not allowed to get under-wear for a deceased person because of health reasons,” he said.
Mr Haamunji said the ban on selling of second hand under-wear is law and that traders should abide by the law as doing the contrary will result in ZABS confiscating the under-wears.
He said it was sad to note that traders have defied the directive by the Zambia Bureau of Standards to stop the supply and sale of second hand under-wears.
“Second hand under-wears have health imprecations and we are urging people to stop buying them. We are warning suppliers and retail traders of second hand under-wear clothes of prosecution for defying the law that forbids them from engaging in the sale of banned products. When we find them we will confiscate their products and burn them,” he warned.
Mr Haamunji said inspectors will soon move on traders in Ndola who are still buying and selling second hand underwear clothes.
He further said people should be buying genuine and brand new under-wear clothes and should be using products that are good for their health.
Traders in second hand under wear in Ndola have moved in the central business district selling their products despite ZABS banning the buying and selling of the merchandise.
Zambia has joined Zimbabwe in banning the sale of second hand under clothes.
But how do those things come in the country because your toothless offices are at every commercial entry?
@ John, these things started a long time ago. In the 80’s when I was young, my mother bought me a ka white second hand bamba! And i was the envy of all all my friends in the komboni.
Selling and wearing second hand underwear is simply disgusting and must be stopped. I thought wigs were bad enough but used underwear is taking things too far. Poverty should not stop people using their common sense.
Instead of reactive attitudes/policy after wrongs, The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) as a statutory board must not allow in the first place these second hand cloths/ underwear…..substandard foods (remember the aldehyde offals), cars, phones, building materials, medicines etc.
The current reactive approach or policy by “The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS)” attests to the substandard leadership at this institution. Mr Director be reminded that, you are the custodian of quality products into the country mandated by law ,not to allow crap in the country then start crying foul!!! Simply put, prevention is better than cure-be at the borders or high duty period!!
Yaba ku Zambia che kulikantu, during the MMD times, people used to afford to buy new underwear now with this govt people have been reduced to buying second hand underwear! Please let them at least buy used ones than using nothing at all (ukulayenda nobwamba). Poverty lishamo mwe!
Stop the lies, this practice started in MMD time. You should appreciate that PF is trying to stop it!!!!!
Stop pretending. Used underwear has been sold from time immemorial. You may have used some yourself.
Kavundala and Monk, you seem to know better about using second hand under wears and how long they have been selling in Zambia. SO you have been buying or selling them because as far as I know this is news to me. So ninshi kaale mwayamba bambala!
Sekelamo ngwele nobufi bobe
Yes I agree with you my friend
This is long overdue. Don’t just target Ndola, the selling and buying of used bambas and ….. is everywhere in Zambia.
No sense of self-respect and pride. How can you honestly buy a pant that has been won by someone you don’t even know??? Stop exaggerating poverty. Underpants are not that expensive, if you can aford a second-hand one you should be able to buy a new one. This exaggeration of poverty is at times embarrassing. No self-respect.
Mulupa, you have said it well. Where is self dignity here? Kwena nangu naubulisha, can you honestly fail to buy decent one from the shops!
Under-five needs diapers not under wear as its tooooooooo early may be in after 2016….
Soon we will be buying used condoms and used tissue paper.
Stop your donkey thinkin, you will end up buyin dad’s used stoga….
ZABS stop this nonsense. Second hand things are second nature to many people in this country. And make no mistake, the quality is superb. You can’t compare them with the chinese crap found all over the shore.
Name them, second hand cars, second hand clothes, second hand shoes, second hand wigs, second hand human hair, second hand phones, second hand tyres, so why single out pants? What’s the difference with second hand shoes and bras? Human hair , bras and shoes are just as filthy as pants. Be serious don’t disadvantage people for nothing. These things are sanitised and washed.
Health hazard my dear, learn to use that head. No one is against second hand items, only underwear and for obvious reasons. You know how to type but can’t use your head?
I agree with u though I do not like your name (devils advocate). Second hand hair (wigs) and shoes are just as unhealthy as second hand pants.
There’s nothing wrong with people trying to do the best they can with the little they’ve got. Given a choice between buying a brand new panty or mealiemeal for the family, I would buy a second hand panty and feed my kids.
They could mandate a scheme where second-hand underwear is fumigated, sanitized, deodorized and washed before it is allowed to be sold. But I guess this would raise the price of the under-wear thus defeating the purpose.
Maybe people are doing this before they wear it anyway?
This is the “Best Debate” I’ve ever come across, browsing L.T.
Has me doubled up in stitches,.& fits of laughter.
There’s also the description of ” Second hand Underwears” -Priceless!!