The South African government faces a court order to provide evidence of its decision to ban tobacco products during lockdown, reports The South African.

The Fair Trade Tobacco Association (FITA) has upheld its court challenge, after President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that the prohibition of tobacco would be continued during Level 3 lockdown. The government’s decision to maintain the cigarette ban, whilst lifting the ban on the sale of alcohol has been met with confusion and upset.
Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, FITA’s chairperson, has questioned the National Coronavirus Command Council’s (NCCC) prerogatives, after the ‘public comments’ process was cited as the initial reason for the continued prohibition of tobacco products. According to the report, Mnguni has argued that President Ramaphosa has delivered the latest directive without issuing an invitation for public comment. FITA launched its initial complaint when the government went back on its plans to remove the tobacco ban, stating that the ban has had no impact on flattening the COVID-19 curve and has instead lead to an increase in the black market trade of tobacco products.
The Pretoria High Court has since ordered Ramaphosa to provide FITA with the minutes of the NCCC meeting which originally decided to overturn the prohibition of tobacco earlier in May. The deadline for this information is May 26. FITA has announced it will continue to update the public on its continuing legal bid, once the government has complied with the High Court’s order for substantiation.