The National Consumer Commission is urging all persons in possession of GIZZU 300 Wh and 500 Wh portable power stations to immediately stop using these and to return them to the supplier.

The importer and distributor, Syntech Distribution – the supplier – has informed the commission of the precautionary recall of these products following reports of fire hazards, as some of these devices combusted while charging.

According to this importer, the product was imported from China and distributed through 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 nontoxic 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.

Acting National Consumer Commissioner Thezi Mabuza notes that, while the supplier says the recall affects a small number of units, the safety of South African consumers is of utmost importance.

“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 3 500 units were sold,” she points out.

Consumers can check if their units are being recalled by visiting https://www.syntech.co.za/gizzu-power-station-query-tool/ and entering the device’s serial number.

The commission has called on producers and importers of goods to prioritise the safety of consumers by doing everything in their power to ensure that they produce or import goods that are safe and fit for purpose.

The commission is monitoring the recall based on its recall guidelines.