Illegal cigarette sellers cash in as desperate people are prepared to pay exorbitant prices

Despite the ban under lockdown, booze sales are brisk on the black market as desperate people are prepared to pay the exorbitant prices

“Wait until the police are gone … They are also there to buy cigarettes. But you can’t just go in there and buy cigarettes in front of them. Get a cold drink or something cheap and then calmly ask the man behind the counter for cigarettes.”

That’s how easy it was to find a place selling cigarettes this week in Mahikeng in North West.