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Illicit cigarette trade already ‘killed 30 tobacco farmers’

by Vuyile Madwantsi
29th June 2021
in COVID-19, News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
SATTA believes that the illegal cigarette trade is still going strong because of government's outlawing of tobacco during level 5 lockdown. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

SATTA believes that the illegal cigarette trade is still going strong because of government's outlawing of tobacco during level 5 lockdown. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

“This illegal trade is taking food from our mouths and killing our businesses.” These are the words of Zachariah Motsumi, spokesperson for the South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance, who blames government for an increase in illegal cigarette trading.

This, after government first banned cigarette sales during the first Covid-19 hard lockdown in March 2020 along with alcohol. SATTA believes this move has done more harm than good, giving birth to unauthorised traders across the country.

Zacharia Motsumi, chairperson of the South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
Zacharia Motsumi, chairperson of the South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Speaking to Food For Mzansi, Motsumi says the ban grew illegal trade to the point where legal cigarette sales are now outnumbered by the black market.

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This makes it difficult to stay in business, SATTA believes, especially if government fails to aid tobacco farmers.

SATTA warns that illegal trading is destroying local industries, resulting in factory closures, job losses, and tax erosion. Also, a number of farmers have already gone out of business and many more are facing financial hardship as a result of rising market prices, which are heavily influenced by lockdowns. 

“As a result of this, 20 to 30 farmers have given up tobacco farming and the industry is still suffering from the consequences of the unlawful ban. It will take some years for the industry to recover,” says Motsumi. 

ALSO READ: ‘Govt. waging tobacco war against us’ – SATTA

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Tags: Covid-19 lockdownSouth Africa Tobacco Transformation AllianceSouth African Revenue ServiceTobacco banTobacco Farmertobacco farmersTobacco Industry
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Fixing agri challenges: ‘ANC no longer has a choice’

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R350 grant puts sisters on agri path to success

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