Hefty fines, jail time beckon for false advertising

The new law will see the Consumer Protection Unit merging into the Competition Authority, empowered by an Act signed by President Ian Khama on his last day in office.

Individual consumers and consumer groups will be entitled to report false advertising and other trickery to the Competition and Consumer Authority, which will have the power to enforce the penalties. The Authority has the power to search, seize products and conduct tests where necessary to determine performance, quality and safety.