Consumer Protection Crackdown: Mogoditshane Car Dealerships Fined P229,000

Consumer Protection Crackdown: Mogoditshane Car Dealerships Fined P229,000. The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA), working with the Botswana Police Service and Mogoditshane Bye-law Officers, has fined 32 motor vehicle dealerships in Mogoditshane a combined total of P229,000. The penalties follow four joint compliance inspections conducted between July and August 2025.

The inspections targeted dealerships suspected of contravening the Consumer Protection Act, the Trade Act, and Mogoditshane District Council Bye-law Regulations. Offences identified included operating without valid trading licences, failure to display vehicle prices in Botswana Pula, inadequate warranty labelling, and selling vehicles without labelling them as new or used.

Key provisions of the Consumer Protection Act require suppliers to:Clearly display prices of goods and services in Botswana Pula.Provide statutory warranties on new or reconditioned parts installed during repairs or maintenance.Label goods as new or used at the point of sale.

According to the CCA, the compliance rate among the inspected dealerships stood at just 42%. The low compliance level highlights ongoing challenges in the second-hand motor vehicle sector, which has generated a high volume of consumer complaints. Since January 2025, the Authority has received 119 complaints related to vehicle purchases.

Consumers are reminded that the law allows them to return goods within six months of purchase if they fail to meet the required standards. In such cases, suppliers are legally obliged to repair, replace, or refund the defective goods.

The CCA has pledged to intensify compliance inspections nationwide while expanding awareness campaigns to ensure businesses understand their obligations under the Act. The Authority emphasised that stricter enforcement will help safeguard consumer rights while promoting fair and transparent trade practices.