South Africans stock up on food, basic goods as coronavirus panic hits

President Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster on Sunday. 

READ: Consumers warned not to overspend amid coronavirus panic

This will include the closure of various ports of entry in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. 

The closure of land and sea ports has led to fears that the country will run out of food.

Mbali MacBrown, a customer at a wholesaler in Silver Lakes east of Pretoria, says although the hordes of people at the stores is causing a lot of panic, she believes they have no choice.

“By Wednesday, when the schools close, the country is going to be in a worse situation than we are, and when you look at what is happening in Europe... it is going this side.”

Another shopper, Jan Erasmus, believes the country is self-sustaining and there is no need to panic. 

“Well, I think South Africa is a food basket for itself, I think internally to get the products to our markets could be a problem.

“I can’t see a lot of imports coming into South Africa as such, I think we are well-sustained,” says Erasmus. 

Dede Tshabalala, who was buying non-perishable food in bulk, believes South African are panicking because there is a sense of unease over food security. 

“I do think there is a sentiment of over-panicking. I believe government has put precautionary measures in place.

“That includes the president having taken the drastic measures yesterday. So I do think we are panicking, but I think it is under control taking into fact no one has died in the country,” adds Tshabalala.