South Africa media have reported that the country’s Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma has told the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) that the sale of tobacco and alcohol should continue to be banned until the country reaches Level 1 of the lockdown.
Online publication News24 said Dlamini-Zuma teamed up with Home Affairs Minister Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledito concince the NCCC that it would be too much of a health risk to allow the sale of cigarettes and alcohol on 1 June when the country is expected to go to Level 3 of the nationwide lockdown.
This prompted a debate in the meeting, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, with no resolution on the matter.
It's funny to me that when Ramaphosa appointed #dlaminizuma as COGTA minister, he never anticipated that we gonna reach a state of emergency due to the coronavirus. He probably thought "Lemme give her a useless department" I bet he now regrets her appointment. pic.twitter.com/pwn0xs4OxF
— Tumelo Warona (@DjNewAfrica) May 22, 2020
The paper said Dlamini-Zuma had come prepared with academic papers that argued against the sale of tobacco and alcohol during the Covid-19 pandemic, citing health risks.
A rare picture of strict parents who dont want their kids to smoke and drink#dlaminizuma pic.twitter.com/iez92mcoku
— Free Spirit ?? Happy Soul (@Joe____Banana) May 22, 2020
Mining Forum of South Africa Chairperson Blessings Ramoba said, “First of all I’m not a smoker, I cannot for the life of me understand the mind set of where this is coming from! What is the point of banning smokes? To me this is just a complete power trip. Aren’t we living in a democratic country? Why make our people suffer more?>chaosafrica
