WESTERN CAPE NEWS - The Fair-trade Independent Tobacco Association of South Africa (Fita) has put its weight behind Western Cape Premier Alan Winde’s stance that the ban on cigarette sales and other non-essential goods be lifted.
In a statement released by Fita Chairperson, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni today, he said Fita agrees with and fully support the recommendation by the DA to national government for the unbanning of all “non-essential” goods in retail stores currently trading.
Yesterday Winde announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa told him telephonically that clarity will be gained about some of the vague and confusing lockdown regulations, including the ban on cigarettes, after the presidents’ coordination council meeting today.
Fita is concerned about the increase in thefts and break ins at stockists of so-called non-essential goods. They say the ban is fuelling underground markets and unnecessarily harming the economy. “Uplifting the ban would, amongst other things save jobs, bring more money into the state coffers, stimulate the economy, and decrease the psychological impact on South Africans of the lockdown period.
“We are already dealing with huge deficits in as far as our tax collections are concerned with the announcement this week that SARS collected R 66.2 billion less than estimated.
“We accordingly urge government to reconsider the nationwide prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and other “non-essential” goods for reasons as set out herein in above. The government’s decisions in relation to the taxi industry have already shown that compromises are possible,” Mnguni said.
“As a recognised industry body, we are available and willing to engage government on the above and provide invaluable input as industry stakeholders in order for the state to make a more informed decision on this issue.”
After the provincial government consulted with the Western Cape SAPS legal department, the lifting of the ban on cigarettes in the province was first announced nearly a week ago and again affirmed on Wednesday, but smokers were left in the cold when the South African Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, said Western Cape outlets that sell cigarettes during lockdown will face the full wrath of the law.
An announcement regarding the sale of “non-essential” goods is being anxiously awaited by the 11-million smokers in South Africa.
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