The government says it will oppose an urgent application by Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) to have the decision not to allow the sale of cigarettes during level four of the lockdown lifted.

It said while the application brought up new information that still needed to be studied further, it stood by its decision not to allow the sale of cigarettes and tobacco, notes a Cape Times report.

This was said by Lungi Mtshali, spokesperson for the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs. Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is the second respondent in the matter.

‘We are studying the application as it deviates from the original demand. But I can state categorically that government will oppose the application to set aside the temporary ban (on) the sale of cigarettes,’ Mtshali is quoted as saying.

The matter is expected to be heard in the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) next Tuesday.

Among other things in the 106-page application, which includes the opinion of a health expert, and a petition, the association also wants to know how the government reached its decision.

Full Cape Times report (subscription needed)

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has rubbished claims there is an agenda from the government in banning of tobacco products during the level four lockdown.

‘No one is trying to pursue any interests. The only interests we are pursuing is the health of our people,’ the President said yesterday at the Royal Show Grounds in KZN, where he inspected a quarantine facility.

He was in the province to examine the state of its response to the pandemic, notes a News24 report. He said in taking the decision for the tobacco ban, the government was consultative.

Commenting on the Fita court challenge, Ramaphosa said: ‘We live in a free country. The content of our democracy is such that if you feel aggrieved you are entitled to take your grievance to the court of the country and that's what they've elected to do.’

He added he had faith in the judicial system. Ramaphosa said while the government had announced a lift on the cigarette ban, it had consulted the public and decided to change its mind.

‘We are a listening government. As much as we may have decided on an issue, when our people raise concerns, we listen and re-examine our position and that is precisely what happened. It was done on a very controversial issue and we accept that. There is nothing wrong whatsoever with any one of us changing our minds.’

Full News24 report