Photo: GCIS
Photo: GCIS
Advocate Andrew Breitenbach has led with honesty being the best policy on Thursday, after he told the Western Cape High Court that Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was ‘fully aware’ criminal groups would profit from the cigarette ban – yet still went ahead with the implementation of prohibition.
Cigarette ban court case – government lawyers make their arguments
Although the argument sounds counter-productive for the government’s case, the legal buff explains that NDZ had weighed-up all the consequences that would be caused by a nationwide cigarette ban.
He reasoned that the ANC stalwart knew that smoking could not be stopped, but rather, the ban on sales would limit how many people would have access to tobacco products.
Dlamini-Zuma ‘knew criminals would benefit’ from cigarette ban
Breitenbach also labeled the illicit trade as an ‘unfortunate reality’ of South Africa. Since the cigarette ban came into force, millions of smokers have been forced to get their goods from illegal traders. Meanwhile, Dlamini-Zuma’s lawyer remains adamant that the decision has had a positive effect on society:
“The intention of the ban is to reduce the incidence of smoking to reduce pressure on the health service. The government doesn’t expect a complete cessation of smoking. Illicit trade is an unfortunate reality of South Africa.”
“The minister is realistic – she knows there is a criminal cigarette underworld. She also knew full well that she was presenting them with a business opportunity. But her intention was to reduce smoking, not stop it altogether. We strongly dispute that the cigarette ban has failed to stop many people from smoking, though.”
Andrew Breitenbach
Breitenbach says there's no argument that the illicit market has grown as a result of the #tobaccoban, but disputes that it hasn't led to a reduction in the number of people who smoke. #BATSA
— Lindsay Dentlinger (@metrobabe) August 6, 2020
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the illegal tobacco trade
The connection between Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the murky underworld of South Africa’s illegal cigarette trade has often proved difficult to ignore. Her close relationship with tobacco kingpin and convicted fraudster Adriano Mazzotti was forensically examined during her bid for the ANC leadership, too.
It was alleged that NDZ had received campaign donations in return for ‘preferable treatment’ for Mazzotti’s business interests; namely, smuggled cigarettes. The minister has denied all accusations and hopes she will be vindicated by the findings of this court case. Proceedings will end later on Thursday.
