South Africa
Concern over surge in cigarette robberies─── 17:00 Wed, 27 Jan 2021
Despite the sale of cigarettes being allowed in South Africa after they were banned last year, British American Tobacco SA said it was alarmed by a record increase in armed robberies of its products.
According to the company, the armed robberies are fuelling organised crime and the illicit trade in cigarettes in the country.
According to The Citizen, the company’s general manager, Johnny Moloto, said the increase in criminals targeting their products should be of major concern to the authorities.
He said in Q1 2020, armed robbers stole almost 1,200 cartons of its products per month. When the ban was lifted, a monthly average of about 2,800 cartons of cigarettes was stolen during armed attacks on its distribution vehicles. Moloto said this was despite the firm having increased security measures.
Moneyweb
