The illicit trade in tobacco, especially cigarettes, costs South Africa's economy billions of rands annually through the loss of tax revenue. According to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the estimated loss through the illegal cigarette trade for the 2015/16 financial year was R6 billion.

And it seems, the illegal cigarette trade will thrive due to the ban on legal sales in the country.

The continued ban forms part of the state's regulations governing the Covid-19 lockdown and has been in place since March 27.

Chad Thomas, CEO at IRS Forensic Investigations joins me now.