LOCAL Four out of 10 stores nationwide (43%) are selling illegal cigarettes, and in two provinces this increases to 75%. Cigarettes are selling for as little as R8 per pack, which is a third of the minimum collectible tax (MCT), says British American Tobacco SA (Batsa), citing Ipsos research. “SA’s[…]
The case involving British American Tobacco South Africa’s (BATSA) challenge to the tobacco sales ban by government continues in the High Court in Cape Town today. Yesterday, BATSA said COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma had infringed on the rights of consumers, farmers and others in the value chain of the[…]
Civil rights’ organisation, Tax Justice South Africa, says it believes the Fair Trade Tobacco Association (FITA) has recourse to appeal the High Court’s judgment on the tobacco ban. On Friday, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Fita’s application to have the ban overturned, with costs. The court ruled that FITA’s[…]
Brazen robbers, in possession of cigarettes and cash worth tens of thousands, were arrested after a thwarted getaway in the Cape Town city centre on Thursday. According to the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), the robbers had held up a convenience store. “The robbery happened in broad daylight[…]
The concept of striking a balance between economy and health has been more evident during the coronavirus pandemic than ever before. It comes as the government faces a court battle over its decision to ban the sale of cigarettes during the nationwide lockdown, which is in its 5th week. Smokers[…]
British American Tobacco South Africa, the largest player in the country’s cigarette market, says it will not be pursuing legal action in an attempt to force the state to permit the sale of cigarettes. At the start of May the company described government’s decision to continue the ban on the[…]
The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) says it will launch an urgent application over the government’s decision to again ban cigarettes. “Consulting with our attorneys and senior counsel on the urgent court application first thing in the morning. Let a court of law adjudicate on this issue once and[…]
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[…]
The police will crack down on businesses selling cigarettes in the Western Cape, Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Thursday. Speaking in Pretoria at an inter-ministerial briefing, Cele added the ban on cigarettes applied countrywide. This after the DA-led Western Cape government lifted it on Wednesday. “Cigarettes may be sold[…]
Viagra, knock off clothes, cannabis oil and even cash are among items valued at R3.6bn bust by customs officials in the last financial year, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) said on Thursday. According to their tally of confiscated items that are prohibited between April 1 2018 and March 31[…]
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