HRDC, MBS clash over crackdown
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) have clashed over the former’s claims of negligence and corruption after discovery of expired, uncertified and unhygienic products in some major retail outlets.
HRDC’s criticism comes after MBS last week cracked down on several retail outlets and closed some for falling short on hygiene and for stocking expired products.
In a statement issued on Saturday signed by national chairperson Gift Trapence, HRDC described the revelations as clear evidence of MBS’s failure to execute its mandate.

Shoprite in Lilongwe. | Nation
“It is disgraceful that such malpractices are only coming to light now… This dereliction of duty endangers millions of lives, particularly those who have no other shopping options,” the statement reads in part.
HRDC noted that the malpractices also extend to rural areas where oversight is minimal, putting millions of lives at risk.
The coalition further alleged that internal corruption within MBS has played a significant role in perpetuating the unethical practices.
Besides rooting out corruption, HRDC has called for greater transparency, demanding that MBS establish a system for regularly updating the public on the status of inspections, violations, and corrective actions.
But MBS has described HRDC’s statement as misleading.
In a written response, the bureau’s communications officer Wazamazama Katatu said the recent inspections were not the first time MBS was undertaking the same.
He said: “The MBS has seen the HRDC statement and it’s a misleading statement because it is very speculative as it’s applying a wrong narrative by assuming that MBS has not been taking these inspections across the country.
“The HRDC could have, therefore, engaged MBS through relevant channels to get some relevant facts right on the operations of the MBS.”
Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade and Tourism chairperson Paul Nkhoma also criticised MBS for allegedly not doing enough to ensure compliance.
He said: “MBS has a fully-fledged quality assurance department whose key day to day job is to ensure through inspection and verification that established standards are complied with in any sector.
“However, from the information in the news, some products sold in these shops had expired more than six months before they were caught.”
MBS has previously undertaken similar inspection with city councils and other stakeholders where, among others, expired products were confiscated and disposed of.