After Bhola conviction, retailers warned to regularise sale of ‘Tsunami’

Zim Now News Desk

The recent conviction of Bhola Hardware for selling unapproved complementary medicines has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s retail sector, prompting fresh scrutiny over the widespread availability of products like Tsunami balm in shops across the country.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/15738/businesses-face-closure-as-coh-launches-cbd-crackdown

The case has underscored a growing regulatory shift—and all retailers, including foreign-owned outlets, are now being urged to take steps to ensure compliance.

A city-based pharmacist told Zim Now:

“Tsunami balm has been sold so freely that many retailers, big and small, likely didn’t realize it required MCAZ approval. But now the warning is clear.”

Bhola, one of Zimbabwe’s largest retailers, was fined US$300 after detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics confiscated bottles of Tsunami and other unregistered products from its Harare branch. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has not approved the balm for sale, making its distribution a violation of local pharmaceutical laws.

Clampdown after years of unchecked sales

For years, Tsunami balm and similar products have been openly sold across Harare—including in several downtown shops, many operated by Chinese nationals. The products are often marketed for headaches, flu, or pain relief and widely assumed to be harmless.

But as Bhola’s prosecution shows, being widely available does not mean being legally authorized.

Legal experts say the case is a wake-up call for all retailers to verify whether the complementary medicines they stock are registered with the MCAZ.

“Retailers—local or foreign-owned—need to urgently review their inventory and ensure they’re not inadvertently breaking the law,” said a law enforcement officer who asked not to be named, as they are not authorized to speak to the media.

The source said there is no selective application of the law, and contrary to the perception that Chinese shops are exempted, any retailer caught with the balm will be prosecuted.

They said responsible authorities are expected to increase inspections following this high-profile case, and some traders say they have already started removing certain products from display pending clarity from regulators.

Zim Now Seeking Clarification

Zim Now has contacted both the MCAZ and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to confirm:

• Whether a list of unregistered products will be made public;
• What guidance will be given to long-time retailers who stocked such products in good faith?
• And whether there will be a grace period for voluntary compliance before further enforcement.

What is “Tsunami,” and why is its sale illegal?

ZimNow looked up information on Tsunami to help the public and retailers understand the clampdown

“Tsunami” is sold as a complementary herbal or over‑the‑counter balm for relief from flu, colds, headaches, itch, and general muscle or pain complaints. Ingredient lists suggest it contains simple substances like menthol, water, wax, glycol, etc.

However, its exact formulation in Zimbabwe is not officially documented through public sources, including Zimbabwe’s Medicines Control Authority. There are no recognized pharmaceutical or medical registrations for “Tsunami” under Zimbabwean regulations.

Health risks or linked adverse effects

No credible medical or clinical reports from Zimbabwe or globally specifically link “Tsunami” to known health harms.

Medical online sources say its ingredients—like menthol-based herbal components—can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, but no documented poisoning, systemic toxicity, or severe side effects have been publicly confirmed.

Is it regulated under Zimbabwe's medicines law?

Yes. Under the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act, any substance presented for medicinal use must be:

1. Registered or licensed by MCAZ,
2. Proven safe, effective, and manufactured to standards.

Complementary and herbal remedies intended for therapeutic use, like Tsunami, fall under MCAZ’s regulatory mandate.

Summary Fact Table

Zimbabwean law holds sellers liable even if a product is perceived as “herbal” or “traditional” when marketed for therapeutic use.

Absence of registration means MCAZ has not evaluated its safety, efficacy, or quality, so compliance concerns are at play—not just commercial licensing.

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