Captain Khanyesile Zwane confirmed that the police will crack down harshly on shops and supermarkets selling cigarettes because they are still prohibited from doing so.

OK Meyer Street owner, Mr Christo Vlok, confirmed that they have received no formal go ahead to restart cigarette sales.

The Spar group also confirmed that no cigarettes will be sold until an official directive allowing them to sell them, has been Gazetted and communicated officially by government to the respective outlets.

The Spar group says its closely monitoring regulations around the sale of cigarettes, and will start immediate sales once a decision has been announced.

Captain Zwane said many shops were unaware of the ban on cigarette sales which continued on Friday and Saturday before the police intervened.

“Shops who sell cigarettes will be closed,” she warned.