Cigarette ban set for court
Tobacco group seeks legal recourse
AS ATTEMPTS to lift the ban on the distribution and sale of cigarettes continues, the Fair-trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) has decided to approach the courts for relief.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday rejected the Gauteng Liquor Forum’s application to lift the alcohol ban, saying the government was committed to financially supporting businesses in distress.
Fita wants the government to authorise the distribution and sale of cigarettes at retail stores, spaza shops and filling stations where people are permitted to purchase what has been classified as essential goods.
Fita said they have received many queries, submissions and messages since the start of lockdown.
“Over the last few days we have been consulting our legal team and we have come to the decision to approach the courts for the appropriate relief visà-vis the ban on the sale of cigarettes.
“From the outset we wish to state that Fita and its members fully support all efforts by the state to implement whatever mechanisms considered prudent in the pursuit of compliance, national order, and ensuring the safety of its citizens during the lockdown period in order to combat the current pandemic we face... The uncertainty around the current restrictions and whether or not the lockdown period would be extended beyond the current end date left us with little choice but to take such a drastic step,” they said.
Their statement follows a 35-yearold man’s arrest after metro police officers on Friday confiscated counterfeit cigarettes valued at nearly R1 million in Ravensmead.
Officers were conducting lockdown patrols just before 4pm when they noticed a light delivery vehicle with an essential services sticker.
City spokesperson Ruth Solomons said it was odd.
“They stopped the vehicle and the driver indicated he was transporting cigarettes. Officers found 70 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes in the vehicle, with an estimated street value of R955 500,” Solomons said.
Two weeks ago police in KwaZulu-Natal made a breakthrough, busting a ring of illicit alcohol producers.
Police discovered 280 bottles of spirits (750ml) that had been bottled in a house in the area. A further 1 500 litres of pure alcohol was found, which could have potentially produced a further 3 400 bottles of 750ml.
The Presidency has meanwhile reiterated that the decision to impose a nationwide lockdown was not taken lightly.
“The overarching consideration has always been and remains the safety of South Africans. The government remains willing to engage with all concrete constructive proposals to ease both the threat to life and the economic challenges occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic,” the Presidency said.