Cape Town - Black Friday has hit South Africa, causing chaos inside - and outside - stores.
Some stores have opened at midnight, prompting eager consumers to come out in their numbers to take advantage of the sales. In a bid to not lose their space in the queue, people camped out and slept in the queues.
For those hoping to avoid the packed shops, numerous online shopping sites have reportedly crashed, causing outrage among those who were eager to skip the lines.
Businesses have taken to social media to advertise their "not-to-be-missed" specials and people used social media to share images and videos of the Black Friday hype.
#BlackFridayFit #OmunyePhezuKomunye pic.twitter.com/S31Rp1gBVH
— KS (@KwaneleSandiswa) November 24, 2017
A mad trolley dash at Eastgate Shopping Centre as consumers get to enter Checkers and start shopping. #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/b2sDSWBEDl
— Yimi iStarring 👑 (@princematyeka) November 24, 2017
An estimated 5000 people queue round the car park and still queuing to get in at
Game in Gateway
. Video: Frank Chemaly
Chaos on Thursday night at Game in Canal Walk. Video: Abdul-waahid Cornelius
Video: Abdul-waahid Cornelius
7 hours later customers are still waiting patiently to enter Ballito Junction's Game store which opened at midnight for #BlackFriday @SundayTribuneSA pic.twitter.com/7GTcbCXNrx
— Nokuthula Ntuli (@nyntuli) November 24, 2017
Poooooooooof!
Some happy customers already at @GatewayUmhlanga where an estimated 5 000 people queued for #BlackFriday specials.
📸: @FrankChemaly pic.twitter.com/KC1oeMaUtZ
— Independent On Sat (@IOSNewsSA) November 23, 2017
BaySide Mall Cape Town 😩 Game 🌚 store opened at 00h01 today #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/GatWy5bL3E
— Uncle Bae Asanda😍 (@AsandaBhenya) November 23, 2017
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Some social media users have slammed Black Friday and the aggressive shoppers, calling them "rude" and "violent".
There have also been calls for stores' management to find better ways to control the crowds and prevent damage to the stock.