Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
The Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) has confirmed they are hammering out a settlement with the government and COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma this week, essentially dropping their legal challenge with regards to the cigarette ban.
Although the ban has been vanquished for Level 2, there’s still a chance the government could bring it back if COVID-19 cases spiral out of control again. However, FITA has decided to open a dialogue with the powers that be – laying down the following terms to the government, should they consider implementing another cigarette ban:
The negotiations have been taking place for the last week or so, and an agreement has been ‘all but reached’:
“Over the course of the last week our legal representatives have been engaged in settlement negotiations with the Office of the State Attorney, acting on behalf of both the COGTA Minister and the President of South Africa, This is with a view to settling the issues still in dispute, with respect to our court challenge.”
FITA statement on their ‘settlement agreement’ with the cigarette ban
#Fita says it’s agreed with Cogta Minister & President to settle the issues still in dispute in respect of its ongoing court challenge in the SCA. Both parties have agreed for consultation should gov decide to reinstate the ban & participate in public process. #Tobaccoban pic.twitter.com/IJRCLqjL6m
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) August 26, 2020