According to the Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) on 26 June, the Western Cape High Court dismissed an application that sought to challenge the constitutionality of the National Coronavirus Command Council as a subcommittee of Cabinet.

In a separate case, the Gauteng High Court dismissed the application brought by Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, which sought to lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes in the country.

“Government continues to remain steadfast that the ban on cigarette and tobacco product sales was put in place to protect the health of South African citizens as a result of COVID-19,” GCIS Director-General Phumla Williams said in a statement.

Williams said every citizen has a role to play in the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus.

“We need to do everything possible to minimize the burden on the already strained healthcare system,” read the statement.