South Africa
Cigarette makers light fire under supermarket giant Spar─── 09:10 Sun, 14 Apr 2019
Supermarket group Spar is being investigated by the Competition Commission after banning SA-produced cigarettes, whose manufacturers are alleged to be tax dodgers, from its shops.
The withdrawal is the latest battle in a war being waged between multinational cigarette manufacturers and South African producers, which is being fought through opposing industry groups the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa and the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association.
The commission confirmed that it was investigating a complaint against Spar, but that the probe was in its preliminary stages.
Spar's spokesperson, Kerry Becker, said it would not comment while the commission was conducting its inquiry.
