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South African-based cigarette manufacturer, Gold Leaf Tobacco on Sunday said it has appealed to the Supreme Court against a High Court order which stopped the firm from trading its cigarettes in Zimbabwe.

The High Court recently barred the firm from packaging and selling their cigarettes bearing the brand name “RG” on the Zimbabwean market.

The court granted an interdict after a successful application by Tonbridge Assets Limited and Cut Rag Processors who are the legitimate owners of the “RG” trademark.

The High Court argued that cigarettes bearing the brand name “RG” had flooded the market thereby prejudicing the owners of the renowned Remington Gold brand that is also shortened as “RG” on the tobacco market.

A local company, Savanna Tobacco is the licensed manufacturer of Remington Gold cigarettes in Zimbabwe.

In a statement, Gold Leaf Tobacco said the firm had appealed against the High Court ban.

“Gold Leaf Tobacco, owners of the Rudland and George cigarette brand widely known as RG cigarettes, would like to assure its valued customers and stakeholders that the company has appealed to the Supreme Court against a High Court interdict to stop us from trading RG cigarettes in Zimbabwe, thus automatically suspending the said order. The matter is therefore sub judice.

“The matter will be heard and finalised by the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. Gold Leaf Tobacco and RG cigarettes are therefore trading and operating as usual,” said the company.

Gold Leaf Tobacco, which recently began trading its cigarettes on the local market, said it plans to set up a cigarette plant in Zimbabwe. — New Ziana.