Dr Dlamini-Zuma Served with Lawyer’s Letter Regarding Smoking Ban, Along With Dr Zweli Mkhize

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, has been served a lawyer’s letter on Wednesday by AfriForum, informing her that the organisation plans to take further legal action if the smoking ban is not lifted.

This ban refers to the sale of tobacco products that are currently illegal, AfriForum said in a press statement on Wednesday afternoon.

The letter was also served on the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, according to the statement.

Ernst Roets, Head of Policy and Action at AfriForum, says that “no rational basis” exist for the smoking ban, and that government’s “secrecy” in this regard is tantamount to a violation of the public’s civil rights.

Roets also raised his concern about rumours that Dr Dlamini-Zuma allegedly has friends in the “underworld” who deal in contraband cigarettes. (Watch the parody video about this by The Kiffness – Nkosazan’ Dlamini Trafficker – SA’s ‘New’ Anthem.)

“AfriForum doesn’t fight for smoking; we fight for freedom: Freedom for the community to not be subjected to preposterous regulations,” says Roets.

In its lawyer’s letter, seen by SAPeople, AfriForum requests the revoking of the decision to ban tobacco products.

If the Minister does not reply sufficiently to AfriForum’s lawyer’s letter, the organisation says will consider further legal action.