The National Consumer Commission urges all persons in possession of GIZZU 300Wh and 500Wh Portable Power Stations to immediately stop use and return these to the supplier after the importer and distributor, Syntech Distribution (Pty) Ltd (supplier) informed the Commission of the precautionary recall of these products following reports of fire hazards.
These devices combusted while charging.
According to Syntech Distribution, the product was imported from China and distributed (sold) by Takealot.com; Builders Warehouse, Makro, Incredible Connection and Hifi Corp. The affected devices have a battery manufacturing flaw which presents a possibility of the product self-combusting and melting when it is charging. In cases where the product’s battery does self-combust, a non-toxic cloud of smoke is released, which may present a fire hazard to nearby furniture.
Consumers are urged to look for the following product description to determine whether the products in their possession form part of the recall:
GPS30011220001-GPS30011220070
PPS30011220001-PPS30011220800
GPS30011220071 -GPS30011221170
PPS30001230001- PPS30001230502
GPS30012220001-GPS30012220800
GPS30012221601-GPS30012221630
GPS30012220801 -GPS30012221600
GPS30001230801-GPS30001231608
GPS30001230001-GPS30001230800
GPS50011220001-GPS50011220700
GPS50011220701 -GPS50011221700
PPS50001230001 -PPS50001230502
GPS50012220001-GPS50012221170
GPS50012222341-GPS50012222372
GPS50012221171 -GPS50012222340
The Acting National Consumer Commissioner, Ms Thezi Mabuza says while the supplier says the recall affects a small number of units, however, safety of South African consumers is of utmost importance, all the time. “This recall comes at the time where South Africans are grappling with the effects of rolling blackouts and trying to circumvent the effects of loadshedding. It is estimated that 3500 units were sold,” she added.
To check if your unit is affected, please visit https://www.syntech.co.za/gizzu-power-station-query-tool/ and enter your device’s serial number. The site will guide you through the process, and how to manage the device safely.
“Protection of consumers remains our priority. Therefore, we call upon producers and importers of goods to prioritize the safety of consumers by doing everything in their power to ensure that they produce or import goods that that are safe and are fit for purpose. The Commission is monitoring the recall based on its Recall Guidelines,” Mabuza concluded.
