Thousands of cigarettes have been seized in a joint operation with the Endumeni Disaster Management Unit during  its Covid-19 Regulation Business compliance inspections in Dundee.

The cigarettes were being illegally sold at various outlets in the area.

In terms of the national disaster management act regulations, the sale of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products is prohibited.

For such an offence a person can be fined R1 000.

However, SAPS are not allowed to confiscate or arrest you for having a packet of cigarettes.

Only the buying and selling of cigarettes are illegal, said national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo.

He said cigarettes may only be confiscated if it can be proven by the police that they were bought or sold illegally.

Social media was abuzz recently with people claiming and questioning whether police were allowed to confiscate their cigarettes.

Some claimed that police had stopped them and upon searching, confiscated their cigarettes.

Read more:

Police may not confiscate your cigarettes

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