Vongai Masuka

Glidwell Trading, which operates as Bhola Hardware City, has been convicted and fined US$300 by a Harare magistrate for selling unapproved complementary medicines, a direct breach of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.

The conviction follows a tip-off received by the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit in Harare on July 21.

Detectives were alerted that the company was selling unauthorized medicines at its Bhola Mega Market.

After conducting surveillance and confirming the sales, detectives entered the premises and identified themselves to the company’s manager, Bhavik Kanttial Jassa, 32.

A search of the shop and a glass display cabinet led to the discovery of 587 bottles of Tsunami and 161 tins of Essential Balm.

Both products were classified as unapproved complementary medicines by the country’s regulatory authority.

Jassa was arrested on the spot and, along with the seized products, was taken to the CID Drugs and Narcotics offices for further investigation.

The prosecution, led by Mandirasa Chigumira, argued the case before Magistrate Gamuchirai Gore.

The company was found guilty and ordered to pay the fine.