Police have arrested a suspect in Belhar in Cape Town following an attack over cigarettes at a shop at Malmesbury in the Swartland. Police say a 27-year-old man was stabbed to death and another injured when shop owners allegedly refused to sell cigarettes to the customer. Police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder and the attacker is expected to appear in court once charged.

Sale of cigarettes is banned during the lockdown.

Police Minister Bheki Cele says that no shop will be allowed to sell cigarettes during the lockdown as they are non-essentials.

“This thing of people wanting to buy cigarettes ‘ayikho’, there’s no cigarettes sales here. I’m told that in one province, they wanted to do that. We spoke to the Premier to say should we find that your shops are selling cigarettes; we shut down your shop. Nothing essential about cigarettes; this disease attacks your lungs so don’t add extra pressure on your lungs by smoking.”

Source: SABCNews