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MBS laments use of illegal scales

Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has lamented the growing use of un-calibrated weighing devices by traders, observing that consumers, including farmers continue to get a raw deal when selling their farm produce.

MBS director general Symon Mandala has since warned that those found using illegal scales will face the law.

He made the remarks in Mzuzu yesterday where the bureau conducted an awareness campaign at Zigwagwa Market as part of the 2021 World Metrology Day celebrations.

An official from MBS displays banned scales

Said Mandala: “When a trader or vendor is buying from a farmer, they tamper with the gadget and if the same vendor is selling to a consumer, it is tampered with again. You may think you are buying 20 kilogrammes, yet you are buying far less.

“It is a problem that is rampant and we are trying to sensitise the general public to it that it is unfair trade,” he said.

Mandala said newly gazetted regulations will empower the bureau to follow through the entire chain from supply, distribution and usage.

He said the new regulations empower MBS to confiscate illegal scales.

Christina Tembo, a consumer from Chibavi Township in the city, said many consumers do not know that some weighing instruments are not allowed.

She called on MBS to intensify awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas.

On his part, Zigwagwa Market chairperson Gerald Maulana admitted that while some traders were complying with the law on the use of accepted scales, others were still duping consumers.

He said: “Those who feel cheated should always come to us and lodge a complaint.

“We have taken action before against some traders, but we still have some that are not changing. This also calls for continued inspections and awareness campaigns.

In January, a  study by the Agriculture Policy Research Africa exposed how small-scale traders use tampered equipment to procure grain from farmers and use untampered equipment when re-selling the same produce.

World Metrology Day is commemorated on May 20 every year, to celebrate the International System of Units. The date is the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875.

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