There are mounting concerns that Covid-19 related trade restrictions could cause an unchecked spike in criminal activities like illegal importation of goods from South Africa.
The ban of distribution and sale of tobacco products in South Africa has resulted in a marked dip in the supply of cigarettes in Lesotho, forcing informal traders like street vendors to resort to suspected illicit means to procure them.
In order to meet the constant demand, this has seen a sharp increase in the price of tobacco products; vendors who queue up everyday at suppliers in Maseru complaining that a pack of 20 cigarettes has gone up by up to 60 percent.
