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RISK: Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. File photo
Smokers breathed a sigh of relief on Monday as Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma confirmed the sale of entjies is now legal again after an almost five-month ban.
“We [can] smoke cigarettes as they are now allowed, but don’t share them as you can pass the virus to the next person,” she said during a press briefing where she gave details on amended regulations for Level 2 which came into effect today.
There were fears that the minister would “overrule” President Cyril Ramaphosa again after he announced on Saturday that the lockdown would be eased to Level 2.
However, the contentious tobacco trade was absent from a table of economic activities prohibited under alert Level 2.
In April, Dlamini-Zuma seemingly overruled Ramaphosa when she extended the cigarette sales ban - despite the president promising it would be lifted.
The president later claimed he was in agreement with the minister.
Yesterday Dlamini-Zuma said claims that she dictates which sectors get banned or re-opened during lockdown were untrue and disingenuous.
When asked how she felt being branded as the enemy behind the push for the entjie ban to remain, the minister said these accusations were not true as she forms part of the collective.
“I think they (people) are just giving me too much credit and shortchanging the government and the president.
“Everyone puts their views and at the end of the day what is decided is decided by the team.
“Yes, in the end, I am the one that signs. To pretend that it is just my decision is disingenuous. I guess some people find it easier to find a scapegoat,” she said.
Dlamini-Zuma has been an adamant proponent of the entjie ban, claiming that it was essential to prevent smokers with severe Coronavirus symptoms overwhelming the health services during the pandemic.
She said the fact that mense share entjies heightened the risk of transmission of the virus.
Her quote “When people zol they put saliva on the paper. And when they share that zol...” was turned into lyrics for Cape Town-based DJ Max Hurrell’s hit song Zol.
On whether the bans on alcohol and tobacco sales may be re-introduced in future, the minister said it was too early to say.
Dop can be sold between 9am and 5pm on Mondays to Thursdays, while restaurants, taverns and bars will be allowed to serve alcohol.
However, they may not host more than 50 clients at a time.
African News Agency