Govt backpedals on alcohol, tobacco lockdown ban, SA reacts
South Africans have been questioning a flurry of confusing tweets from the government regarding the bans on both the sales of cigarettes and alcohol.
The government first tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that the double ban would remain in place until the end of the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Those messages confirming the ban from its official Twitter account have since been deleted.
Government explained that the ban's purpose is "to save lives and protect the health and well-being of our people."
But, late last night, government withdrew the statement saying it was incorrect, though the ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products remains under Level 3 of the lockdown.
"This decision may be reviewed at any time by the relevant structures should the conditions which necessitated it change. We regret any confusion the tweet has caused.""
2/2: This decision may be reviewed at any time by the relevant structures should the conditions which necessitated it change. We regret any confusion the tweet has caused.
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 22, 2020
South African have been reacting to the mix-up.
Can I speak to the adult in charge over there?
— Simon Grindrod (@SimonPGrindrod) July 22, 2020
How can we believe anything anymore? The rules can change by the hour and interpretation depends on who is making the speech. What a joke...
— FIVESTAR PR (@fivestarprza) July 22, 2020
You guys really don't know what you're doing, do you?
— Tracey Hawthorne (@Kasteel7) July 22, 2020
I'm so confused... You mean "this account" tweeted by itself. Yoh I need to upgrade my twitter account so that it can also self post. #TheAutomaticTweeter ™️. Ha! This government has absolutely no respect. At least add some aromat to your lies and say "this account was hacked"...
— Garin Lovell (@Garinlovell) July 22, 2020
