Malema defends NDZ: ‘Tobacco not the solution’
Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema has come out in defence of Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma over the decision to ban cigarettes.
Malema held a virtual press briefing on Thursday afternoon.
“We must support her, in the long run tobacco is not the solution,” he said.
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“We must at some point find a way where we have a society free of cigarettes. Her attitude is correct, and it doesn’t start now.”
The decision by government to continue the ban on tobacco products under level 4 and 3 has been a bone of contention.
Dlamini-Zuma has been dragged to court for the decision by the Fair Trade Independence Tobacco Association (FITA)
FITA is challenging the constitutionality to ban the sale of tobacco.
In representations that she has made, Dlamini-Zuma says the rationale for the decision to suspend the sale of tobacco products was to protect human life and reduce a potential strain on the healthcare system.
The matter between Dlamini-Zuma and FITA is expected to be heard in court at the beginning of June.