Pilot project invites Capetonians to get rid of food waste at drop-off sites
WC govt says Covid-19 cases amongst healthcare workers continue to drop sharply
Former Springbok Kobus Wiese: 'Hospital staff were just world-class'
'ConCourt's latest play suggests that prison is very much on the table for Zuma'
Gatvol Capetonian Movement vows to fight City of Cape Town's damages claim
DA deliberates on candidate for Cape Town mayor
Absa closes its money market unit trust for good – here’s what that means
'Busy culture' is a load of bull – 10 tips to avoid burnout
'Affordable' classic car market (e.g. VW Beetle) is booming in South Africa
South African sperm donor fights for access to his child
Is the physical office space dying? Research shows not yet
Local director realises lifelong dream with release of his debut feature film
South African sets new Women’s Deep Cave Diving Record in Boesmansgat Cave
[WATCH] Lux stands with Caster 'No one should be stripped of being a woman'
Masters: 'Christiaan Bezuidenhout is on everybody’s lips – not just in SA'
Shorter and shorter videos as attention spans plummet from 20 to 2 minutes
[WATCH] Ndlovu Youth Choir's soul-stirring rendition of isiXhosa Easter hymn
Podcast ad spend globally expected to exceed $1.6 billion over next few years
[WATCH] Animated short-film 'Save Ralph' shines spotlight on animal testing
Rich countries vaccinate low-risk population while Africa waits and dies – MSF
Kenya's hospitals running out of oxygen, plea for return of hoarded cylinders
'Any SADC intervention will ensure Mozambique leads the effort'
'World could be $9 trillion richer by 2025, if Covid-19 vaccinations are swift'
'Urban speed limit must be lowered from 60 km/h to 30 km/h'
Vodacom cuts data costs: It's still twice what we should be paying - tech journo
Jacques Pauw explores alleged links between the cigarette ban, NDZ and Mazzotti
On Wednesday, Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced the decision to extend the ban on cigarette sales, despite earlier assurances from President Cyril Ramaphosa that the ban would be lifted.
RELATED: Finance Minister Tito Mboweni wanted alcohol and cigarettes unbanned but lost the debate
Pauw, the author of the President's Keepers, says Dlamini-Zuma's decision has no rational basis and can be viewed as a political move.
We have to look at politics... We all know in which camp Dlamini-Zuma is. There is a nexus between her and Ace Magashule and even the EFF.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Why did Dlamini-Zuma and the command council do it, because they haven't given us any good reason yet?
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Pauw infers that the cigarette ban could be motivated by Dlamini-Zuma's alleged ties to alleged illicit tobacco kingpin Adriano Mazzotti.
Mazzotti allegedly funded her presidential campaign to succeed President Jacob Zuma back in 2017, according to Pauw's book.
It's alleged that he supplied Dlamini-Zuma with an array of election paraphernalia, including election caps and shirts, for the ANC elective conference at Nasrec in December 2017.
Mazzotti has also funded the EFF. In November 2017, EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi confirmed that Mazzotti had donated R200 000 towards registering the party in the 2014 general elections.
Pauw says the EFF's Floyd Shivambu was quick to praise Dlamini-Zuma this week after she announced the extension of the cigarette ban.
RELATED: SA govt may 'run into choppy waters' defending cigarette ban and curfew in court
After I published the book (The President's Keepers), more photographs emerged of Dlamini-Zuma with Adriano Mazzotti.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Very interestingly, the EFF released a statement congratulating her [Dlamini-Zuma] for the continued ban of tobacco, something which makes absolutely no sense.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Meanwhile, tobacco companies are threatening legal action against the continued ban.
They argue that the ban is unjustified and only fuels the sale of illicit cigarettes on the black market.
RELATED: Tobacco association taking government to court after U-turn on cigarette sales
As the Minister of Cooperative Governance, Dlamini-Zuma oversees the Disaster Management Act, the umbrella legislation that regulates the lockdown.
Many have questioned the rationality of the cigarette ban while South Africa loses much-needed tax revenue.
Pauw says South Africa has lost R1.6 billion in tax revenue in April due to the ban on cigarettes and alcohol.
Meanwhile, the illicit cigarette trade is booming in South Africa, including brands under Mazzotti's cigarette company, Carnilinx, Pauw claims.
I can assure you that lots of Mazzotti's cigarettes are being sold around at the moment... We're talking about organised crime here. In the meantime, South Africa is losing tax revenue at a time when the government urgently needs money.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Smugglers are making a killing out of cigarettes at the moment. It's all illicit.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
The number one weapon against cigarette smuggling is SARS.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Why impose regulations on people that you cannot really police... Cigarettes are streaming across the border.
Jacques Pauw, Author and investigative journalist
Listen to the discussion on Today with Kieno Kammies (apologies for the patchy audio):
More from Covid-19 coronavirus explained
Should you keep working from home after the pandemic?
Will doing so affect you negatively in the long term? Bruce Whitfield interviews Linda Trim, Director at Giant Leap.
Read More
'Western Cape to start vaccinating over-60s in May'
"There’s been no significant sign of cluster events emanating from the Easter weekend," says W Cape Head of Health Keith Cloete.
Read More
'World could be $9 trillion richer by 2025, if Covid-19 vaccinations are swift'
Vaccinating entire populations against Covid-19 will more than pay for itself, according to the IMF.
Read More
Rich countries vaccinate low-risk population while Africa waits and dies – MSF
"The Economist projects that most Africans will only receive full vaccinations by the end of 2023," warns Doctors Without Borders.
Read More
Covid-19 vaccinations: 'Private sector is raring to go!'
Sibanye-Stillwater has set aside R200 million to vaccinate its entire workforce and their families, says Helena Wasserman.
Read More
Lockdown traffic trends: Less congestion as work rhythms change - research
Vehicle tracking specialist Tracker commissioned research into how the lockdown impacted vehicle movement during the lockdown.
Read More
'Drinking is how we celebrate and mourn. It’s who we are'
"We’re all sitting in suspense," says Adrie Vermeulen (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence).
Read More
UK pandemic starts to end: 'There’s lightness in the air! 20 degrees and sunny!'
The United Kingdom is taking its first cautious steps in opening up. "We can play sport again!" says Adam Gilchrist.
Read More
Discovery medical aid to vaccinate 50 000 of its 3 million members per day
The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviews Dr Ryan Noach, Chief Executive at Discovery Health.
Read More
South Africa to produce 30 million J&J Covid-19 vaccines
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Aspen Pharmacare will produce the vaccines in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Read More
Highlights