On 9th April, 2024, the Secretariat of the Commission commenced investigation against Chou Chou Bea Enterprise on allegations of unconscionable conduct in the sale of sugar. This followed findings of shop inspections conducted at the Respondent’s business premises located at Bwalo la Njobvu in Lilongwe on 7th March, 2024.
The inspections revealed that the Respondent’s shop was selling sugar at a higher than the recommended price. Specifically, a bale of 20-1kg sugar packets was being sold at K63,000.00, against a recommended wholesale price of K37, 500.00
The Commission observed that the Respondents’ conduct of exorbitantly pricing sugar was unconscionable and contrary to Section 43(1)(g) of the CFTA.
The Commission also noted that the Respondent did not cooperate with the Commission during the investigations.
Upon deliberation, the Commission made a determination to refer the matter to the DPP to institute criminal proceedings against the Respondents for engaging in unconscionable conduct in the trading of sugar and secondly for failing to furnish the Commission with information within the prescribed time when requested to do so.