Durban - As residents flocked to shopping centres around Durban in a bid to stock up on essentials ahead of the looming 21-day lockdown, Anastasia Mthembu, nibbled on her piece of chicken while she watched shoppers rush by with loaded trolleys.
Mthembu told The Mercury she had already stocked up her cupboards last Sunday after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced restrictions.
"I came to Dischem this morning only to find out about my chronic medication. That was my only concern but the manager told me not to worry. He said they will be able to deliver it so I am not stressed," she said.
Mthembu said on Monday last week, she went out and bought lots of canned food, milk, flour, maize meal and other items.
"Last week already, I was in a bit of a panic and unsure of what would happen next. I took the decision then to rather stock up," she said.
At the Atrium shopping centre in Overport, residents could be seen standing in long queues outside Dischem. The doors were closed and guarded by security who only allowed one shopper in at a time, once another shopper inside the store had left.
Shoppers queued outside Dischem at the Atrium in Overport
Video: Se-Anne Rall
Scores of residents rushed to purchase goods at local shops.
Picture: Leon Lestrade/African News Agency(ANA)
Durban's popular Moses Kotane (Sparks) Road was a no--go area this morning as shoppers rushed to stock up on goods.
Picture: Se-Anne Rall
A shopper who asked not to be named, said she had come to Dischem to stock up on multivitamins for her family. Another shopper said she was hoping to get her medication.
Traffic in Springfield, near Makro, and around Pick n Pay Hyper by the Sea, in Durban North, had also been affected as residents rushed to purchase essentials.
Staff working at other shopping centres around the city also complained of have to deal with large crowds