Tanzania keeps used-undies ban

2004-07-29 21:30

Dar Es Salaam - Tanzania warned on Thursday that legal action would be taken against people selling imported second-hand underwear, prohibited last year in an effort to prevent skin and venereal diseases.

"Undergarments, such as underwears, brassieres and socks are prohibited purely on health grounds and legal action will be taken against anybody found selling the prohibited garments," said the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards acting director, Beatrice Mutabazi.

"By this statement, it is reiterated that all retailers of mitumba garments are prohibited from selling the garments," she said.

The ban on used undergarments was announced by the authorities in October last year and became effective on January 15 this year.

Huge market for second-hand clothes

But, despite the TBS's efforts to control the quality of imported used clothes, known as mitumba, the prohibited textile products are still being sold by retailers.

Like many African countries, Tanzania has a huge market for imported second-hand clothing, with used outer garments and underwear selling like hot cakes because of their low cost.

A pair of used trousers can cost as little as $2 (about R15) against $10 to $30 dollars for a new pair.

Used clothes are imported into Tanzania in large, unsorted bales and are traded and worn just about everywhere in the country.

- AFP