Ramaphosa speaks on legal threats from tobacco industry
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the reversal of the decision to lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes was a collective decision.
When he announced the move to level four lockdown a few weeks ago - he said cigarettes could be sold.
But a few days later - Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said the ban would in fact remain in place.
British American Tobacco is threatening legal action if government doesn't reverse the ban.
Ramaphosa says they have every right to do so.
"Well, 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 courts of our country and that's what they've been elected to do. We still have great confidence in the courts of our country, that they are able to examine matters and disputes properly."
Watch below:
On the #tobacco ban, @CyrilRamaphosa says those who have approached the courts “live in a free country” and that those people are entitled to “take their grievances to the courts.#COVID19 @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/6y4yRWFBPK
— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) May 5, 2020
Ramaphosa made the comments while responding to questions from reporters in Pietermaritzburg.
He was there to inspect quarantine site for COVID-19 patients at the royal show grounds.
Gallery
Inside the newly turned quarantine facility at the Royal Showgrounds in PMB. @ECR_Newswatch It can House 269 #COVID19 patients. @ecr9495 pic.twitter.com/Zx77jZBcBH
— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) May 5, 2020
