President Cyril Ramaphosa was swayed at a heated meeting of the national command council on Covid-19 to support the reversal of an earlier decision to allow tobacco products to be sold at level 4 of the national lockdown.
While the president did not initially oppose the idea of tobacco products being sold at level 4, it was the vociferous protests from police minister Bheki Cele, home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi and health minister Zweli Mkhize that eventually won the day. Contacted for comment on Friday, Motsoaledi said that, unlike Mboweni, he would not comment on what is discussed at the NCC."That would be ill-discipline. I'm not a spokesperson of the committee on regulations. That committee is chaired by minister [Nkosazana] Dlamini-Zuma. I believe what Tito is doing is ill-discipline. I cannot be like him. If all of us come out and say I said this, then all of us look silly.
The NCC had been told that a rushed reopening could lead to an uncontrolled spread in infections, and the government instead opted for a risk-adjusted approach that would ease restrictions based on five levels. In his televised address to the country, Ramaphosa explained the rationale for a risk-adjusted approach rather than ending the lockdown altogether."The sale of cigarettes will be permitted," he boldly declared to the nation.
Since decisions of the NCC have to be ratified by the cabinet, Ramaphosa asked Deputy President David Mabuza to chair the cabinet as he had to attend a virtual meeting of a structure of the AU shortly after the NCC meeting.Dlamini-Zuma, who publicly announced the reversal of the decision at a press conference on April 29, was blamed by smokers, their sympathisers, commentators and others of having bulldozed Ramaphosa into reversing the decision of the NCC.
Why led by your nose Mr Prime minister, turning your country into a hungry fighting hell for a piece of bread, because the world leaders say so, or are they forcing you to set your own countrymen at each other... Think for yourself... a healthy mind is not rocket sciences !!!
Rubbish. Alternative interests being driven. When someone loses someone else always wins. Presidents don’t get ‘swayed’
TO NCC NEXT TIME YOU DRAW A PETITION THEN YOU'LL KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG ESPECIAL BRITISH AND AMERICANS INVOLVEMENT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE CONTROLLED BY YOU GUYS (NB)
Give us our smokes back for goodness sake enough is enough
NCC OR NOT WE DON'T APPROVE THE SELLING OF CIGARETTES? DURING THIS TIME THE VIRUS CASES WOULD BE WORSE BY NOW!!! IS NOT THE LEADERSHIP ONLY INVOLVED OUR VOICES MUST BE TAKEN IN A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TOO? YOU ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE NOT A (MAJORITY'')
No cigarettes! and you smokers don't have respect for non smokers nje niyalayeka.
The cigarette issue is becoming monotonous now sesizwile!
No respect fo the President Mzansi is a disrespectful Country this dem democracy
Chief puppet,has zero authority just a title,what a shame
I prefer this headline better than one which would have read: 'Ramaphosa strong arms the NCC to lift ban on cigarette sales'
This notion that the President has powers to make unilateral decisions in the NCC is not true. These r ANC leaders who were groomed with the concept of a battle of ideas to promote democratic process. You put forward a motion, we debate it, majority wins.
Where r the minutes of the meeting or clip of the proceedings. Even if there was an argument that still came out with a decision, it means democracy is alive and well in the NCC. This article seeks to build a narrative that says Govt is being opposed by the KZN block. We see u.
Now we know who calls the shots..
A wise man change his mind- President Ramaphosa is no exception!!!
Open the sale of cigeretts people are addicted R800 rand a carton of cheap cigarettes that alone will kill people.R5 for one loose cigarette. Come on guys I don't smoke But I have customers that beg me to organise at any price this is a sin ban bread not cigarette we see it
Why nenza so mara kanti lento yogwayi ayidlulanga.
When is the president going to put his foot down and decide instead of always wanting to become a collective decision
Cyril lied 🤥
Our people are loosing their jobs left and right are under heavy stress, retrench some of your ministers so as to feel what our people are going through
Trying so hard to pushed the narrative that Ramaphosa was forced into giving in, he has mind of his own and knows right from wrong
Where's the minutes?
While we read your minutes Mr president, read this. These weren't negotiable, just like judgement wont be reserved, no responsibility without accountability!
Release the minutes of the meeting, already... Covid19SA lockdownSA theANCisalegacyofapartheid
Lies
Now they will come after DD
Show me the minutes
Times Live & Sunday Times are waging divisions and encouraging disrespect for government in SA.
Yeah, right. 'Swayed' - read: 'Squirrel acknowledged that he's not really the president, and that the country is actually ruled by another geriatric Zuma and her gangster buddies.'
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