The “Smokers Protest” will take place on Saturday, and there will certainly be fuel for the fire following Bheki Cele’s remarks on the cigarette ban.
Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to accept the cigarette ban as reality, at least while Level 3 lockdown is in place.
Cele said that police can use lethal force if their lives are at risk, and warned that smokers face criminal records for buying cigarettes.
With the cigarette ban still in place, smokers are desperate to see tobacco products back on the shelves – whether that’s decided by the courts or Cabinet.
Facing a string of misconduct allegations, Judge John Hlophe’s reputation is under scrutiny once more after he delayed a court hearing on the cigarette ban.
British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA), confirmed that it is taking cigarette orders but will not go against the lockdown regulations.
BATSA’s urgent application to lift the cigarette ban will have to wait another month before it’s heard in court.
It may be eight days behind schedule, but late is better than never. BAT are set for a court showdown with the government over the cigarette ban next week.
Campaigners, fed up with waiting for a final judgment on the tobacco ban, are taking matters into their own hands to get SA’s cigarettes back.
The controversial cigarette ban is costing South Africa billions in lost tax revenue – but could Tito Mboweni be tempted to raise the cash another way?
Should Fita be unsuccessful in overturning the tobacco ban, it’s possible that there would be another long wait before cigarettes return to our shelves.
Fita, currently locked in a court battle with the government over the cigarette ban, revealed that they have been subjected to personal threats.
Still no word from the High Court as another legal challenge, tabled by a giant in the tobacco industry, looms.
Sadly for those craving a smoke, the cigarette ban has not been lifted yet – despite claims made by a fast-spreading WhatsApp message this week.
During the weekend operation, a number of people were arrested for violating Regulations of the Disaster Management Act, which govern the lockdown
The suspects appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Thursday, 11 June 2020
An exchange between Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s lawyer and a judge in the ‘cigarette ban’ case just about summed up the fractious atmosphere in the court.
Police in the Eastern Cape arrested a suspect for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and for contravening lockdown regulations by selling cigarettes.
Fita’s lawyer, Arnold Subel, has said that the president should be deposed so that the u-turn around the tobacco ban can be explained.
The acid-tongued legal representative for FITA has blasted Minister Dlamini-Zuma while setting out a fierce argument for lifting the cigarette ban.
Will South African smokers rejoice or mourn a High Court judgement this week?
Judges are reviewing the submissions by both Fita and government over the ban in cigarettes, with the case set to resume on 10 June.
Government’s stance on tobacco sales amid the COVID-19 crisis has found backing in the Eastern Cape.
The government simply cannot stub this cigarette issue out. Now Cyril Ramaphosa has been blasted for allegedly lying about the tobacco ban.
The Gauteng Health Department also said there’s been an upsurge in trauma units since sale of alcohol was permitted under lockdown Level 3.