The Tobacco Commission has imposed on the owners of nested tobacco bales confiscated in the 2023/2024 selling season a penalty of 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the crop.
Following the confiscation, the nested bales were sent for re-handling after which the crop was re-offered for sale under Tobacco Commission registration number.
Proceeds from the sale have been in the custody of the Commission since the sale pending the outcome of consultations on the matter.
According to section 96 (8) of the Tobacco Industry Act (2024), nesting is an offense and the Tobacco Commission is empowered to confiscate all nested tobacco bales offered for sale.
Up to 170,223 kilogrammes of tobacco were realised from nested tobacco bales in the 2023/2024 selling season. The re-handled tobacco generated US$374,033.74 half of which will be forfeited to the Commission in penalties.
From the 2025 marketing season, the penalty will be stiffer, though.
“Nesting compromises the integrity of our tobacco. For this reason, from 2025, we will be retaining all proceeds from the sale of confiscated nested tobacco bales,” said Telephorus Chigwenembe, Tobacco Commission spokesperson.
“This year, we have been a little lenient as the provision on the penalty is new. More sensitization is needed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the owners of the confiscated nested tobacco bales will get their proceeds from the week beginning 4th November, 2024.
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