Chatikobo, Masvingo Rural District (New Ziana) – In a landmark move to promote consumer awareness and digital inclusivity, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) partnered with several regulatory bodies to host an outreach program in the remote village of Chatikobo, Masvingo Rural District.
The initiative, which brought together the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, aimed to educate villagers on their rights and responsibilities as consumers, particularly in the digital age.
The outreach, held last Saturday, saw a significant turnout as villagers gathered to learn from the experts and was marked by engaging discussions and informative sessions.
Dr. Vengesayi Magadzire, POTRAZ Deputy Director for Economics, Tariffs, and Competition, who also oversees Consumer Affairs, emphasized the importance of the event.
“POTRAZ has gathered here with other regulatory authorities who share a common interest in consumer protection issues. We are here to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities, as well as the role of POTRAZ in safeguarding these rights,” said Dr. Magadzire.
He highlighted POTRAZ’s mandate to ensure inclusivity in digital financial services, a key focus of the outreach.
“As part of our mandate, we are committed to protecting the rights of consumers and promoting inclusivity, especially in digital financial services.
“This is why we are collaborating with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Consumer Protection Commission, as we share the same interests,” he said.
He added that the outreach also aimed to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that no community is left behind.
“We are here in the remote part of Chatikobo to promote inclusivity so that no one and no place is left behind in the provision of postal and telecommunication services,” he said.
In addition to educating the villagers, the regulatory authorities used the opportunity to gather feedback from the community.
The event was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the local community.
Councillor Elias Marasha, representing Ward 16 in Chatikobo, expressed his gratitude for the initiative.
“As villagers of Chatikobo, we are truly elated by the visit of these regulatory authorities. This has been an eye-opening event for us.
“We have learned so much about our rights as consumers, which we previously took for granted. This kind of education should be spread to other rural parts of Zimbabwe, where many people remain unaware of their consumer rights,” said Councillor Marasha.
He also highlighted the importance of the lessons on digital rights.
“We have learned critical lessons about digital rights, such as the importance of safeguarding our PIN numbers and other personal information. These are things we often overlook, but they can be exploited if not protected,” he added.
The outreach program is part of a broader effort by POTRAZ and its partners to ensure that all Zimbabweans, regardless of their location, are informed and empowered to navigate the complexities of the digital economy.
By bringing these services to the doorstep of rural communities, the authorities are taking significant steps toward achieving universal digital inclusivity and consumer protection.
Villagers interviewed expressed hope that such initiatives would become a regular occurrence, ensuring that even the most remote communities are not left behind in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation journey.
For POTRAZ and its partners, the Chatikobo outreach marks a significant milestone in their mission to create a more informed, protected, and inclusive society.
New Ziana
