AKA, who is in partnership with an alcohol brand Cruz Vodka, went on a Twitter rant, slamming the government for its decision to cease the sale alcohol without prior notice.
Not long ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the sale of alcohol would be banned again, with "immediate effect," leaving many South Africans shocked and enraged.
Reiterating the President’s decision, the SA government took to Twitter on Wednesday, with a statement that read: “The ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarette will remain in place throughout the lockdown period. The purpose is to save lives and protect the health and well-being of our people. #AlcohoBan.”
The tweet has since been deleted and a follow-up statement released to clarify the miscommunication, saying that the ban on alcohol and cigarettes would last under the current lockdown level 3 regulations.
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— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 22, 2020
This account posted a tweet earlier today which said that the ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes would remain in place throughout the lockdown period. This is incorrect. The sale of alcohol and tobacco products is prohibited under the current Level 3 regulations.
In response to the initial tweet, Supa Mega, who doesn’t mince his words, fired shots at the government.
The “Fela Versace” hitmaker insisted that his rant is not only about him not securing the bag during this time but he is concerned about the livelihood of many South Africans, who will lose their jobs and business due to the non-sale and transportation of alcohol.
When asked about his sudden concern about jobless, he replied: “You can say whatever you want about my bag. The fact is I can survive ... can a truck driver? A farmworker? A factory worker? ... what day you about their 'bag' sir?"
All that’s going to happen is that Alcohol will go underground and organized crime will be the biggest winner. As we have seen with Cigarettes. The treasury collects .... zero. You can’t tax what you can’t regulate. Jobs are going to be lost of a massive scale.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 22, 2020
You can say whatever you want about my bag. The fact is I can survive ... can a truck driver? A farm worker? A factory worker? ... what day you about their “bag” sir? https://t.co/aIWRjrABjP
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 22, 2020
In a series of tweets, the rapper continued raising his concerns “An estimated 1 million jobs will be lost in the alcohol industry alone. One Million Jobs... Everything from wine farmers, to administration, drivers and logistics, down to the owners of local taverns. Even manufacturing of glass. Devastating knock-on effects.”
An estimated 1 million jobs will be lost in the alcohol industry alone. ONE MILLION JOBS. Everything from Wine farmers, to Administraton, drivers & logistics, down to the owners of local taverns. Even manufacturing of Glass. Devastating knock on effects. https://t.co/8mr9MR4nEJ
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 22, 2020
He continued: “No doubt lives are important. What about livelihoods? The Alcohol industry employs so many people and is so large that it makes up 4.4% of the GDP(look it up, it’s a FACT). You cannot simply switch that off without a plan and without WARNING.
No doubt lives are important. What about livelihoods? The Alcohol industry employs so many people and is so large that it makes up 4.4% of the GDP(look it up, it’s a FACT). You cannot simply switch that off without a PLAN and without WARNING. https://t.co/aJkNWrTEUp
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 22, 2020
"Regulate the sale of alcohol. You cannot simply switch it off at the drop of a hat. Ok, you want to mitigate the effects of it? Fine. Come up with a plan to save jobs and protect livelihoods as well as lives.”
REGULATE the sale of alcohol. You cannot simply switch it off at the drop of a hat. Ok you want to mitigate the effects of it? Fine. Come up with a PLAN to save JOBS and protect LIVELIHOODS as well as LIVES.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 22, 2020
The star even admitted to missing the former President Jacob Zuma.
He wrote: “I’m sure y’all miss Jacob Zuma now, don’t you? ... ungrateful b*****ds.”
I’m sure y’all miss Jacob Zuma now don’t you ... ungrateful bastards.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 22, 2020
That one didn’t end well. Before long tweeps pulled out files, reminding him of his love for the governing party and its president.
undefinedAKA is being a hypocrite, he endorsed Cyril for presidency if I remember well. pic.twitter.com/6RvdrwSubk
— Mr Simelane (@justin_simelane) July 22, 2020
You forgot you were kissing a$$ here 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/aoWhlOW3K8
— Madiba (@lu_madiba) July 22, 2020
This is not the first time that the star had expressed his disappointment at the government for discontinuing alcohol sale in the effort to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
"It’s bad as is without being able to do any shows. I also have a family to feed, (you) understand,” tweeted AKA after the initial alcohol ban when the country went into the national lockdown in March.