The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission (CCC) is cementing its role as a proactive consumer watchdog with the amplification of a major safety recall affecting 12 491 BMW vehicles across the region.
This move, following the initial notice from BMW Group South Africa, underscores a broader trend of increased regulatory vigilance and cross-border enforcement, setting new standards for corporate accountability in the Common Market.
According to a statement issued by the commission, the recall affects various popular BMW models sold since 2016, centers on a manufacturing defect in the starter motor.
These Include the BMW 3 Series (G20 model), 4 Series (G22 model), 5 Series (G30 model), Z4 (G29 model), X3 (G01 model) and the X4 (G02 model).
The severity of the defect, according to the CCC is the potential for a vehicle fire to occur even when the car is switched off, making the alert a critical consumer safety issue.
“The Commission is aware that consumers from several COMESA Member States import similar vehicles from South Africa, therefore, pursuant to Article 30 (1)(b) of the COMESA Competition Commission Regulation, the commission wishes to inform the public of the risks associated with the recalled BMW vehicles and advises affected consumers to verify whether their vehicles are affected and have them checked,” said the commission.
BMW has advised affected owners to visit an authorized dealership for a free replacement of the faulty component. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) also advised consumers to avoid driving through deep water that could submerge the starter motor.
This high-profile case highlights the increasing maturity and assertiveness of the CCC’s consumer protection regime. The CCC’s mandate covers conduct that affects more than one COMESA Member State, making it the primary regional authority for enforcing product safety recalls like this.
According to CCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Willard Mwemba speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya last week said pursuant to Article 30 of the Regulations, the CCC issued several key warning notices regarding unsafe products that may be in circulation across the region.
The CCC amplified two major cross-border vehicle safety recalls, underscoring the risks associated with imported cars, particularly from South Africa:\.
He noted that in August 2025, the Commission issued an alert for a recall initiated by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (Ford SA) affecting over 5 000 Ford Ranger, Everest, EcoSport, and Puma models from 2021-2025.
Recognizing the large market for these vehicles in COMESA due to South African imports, the CCC is collaborating with national consumer agencies to assist affected consumers.
In July 2024, the Commission warned consumers about the long-running global recall of over 100 million Takata airbag inflators by more than 20 car manufacturers.
With the faulty airbags linked to 22 deaths worldwide and affecting models from 2002 to 2015, the CCC specifically targeted the high importation of used cars in the region, urging consumers to have their vehicles checked.
According to Dr Mwemba, the Commission also took action on consumer goods, ensuring product information integrity and safety standards.
In April 2025, the CCC alerted consumers to a voluntary recall by major supermarkets (Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, OK Foods) of cereal products manufactured by Heartland Foods South Africa.
The recall was prompted because the products, including Corn Flakes and Granola, had misleading nutritional information and slightly higher sugar levels than stated, posing a risk to diabetic consumers.
The CCC confirmed the products were exported to Malawi, Eswatini, and Zambia, and intervened to ensure all unsafe products were removed from the Common Market.
The CCC also engaged two manufacturing giants, Trade Kings Group and Unilever SA (PTY) Limited, over concerns of obscure and misleading labelling on dishwashing liquid detergents.
Both companies have agreed to review their designs and implement roadmaps to phase out the misleading labels by 2026, marking a win for transparency in consumer information.
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