Shoppers search for basics as many shops in KZN remain closed
With many of the shops still closed in Durban and other parts affected by violence and looting, people are increasingly desperate for basic food items.
Reporter Dineo Mphahlele was at one of the few filling stations open in Durban North in search of some milk.
Here is her story:
I stood in the queue outside the Mackeutan Avenue filling station’s convenient store this morning (Tuesday) with fellow bread and milk seekers.
A few minutes later, a staff member popped their head out to announce there wasn’t any of these two items in the shop.
The queue instantly shortened.
I heard one resident telling those who were leaving that a local Facebook group was now organising home-baked bread and suggested they have a look at it.
I remained in the queue to see what else was available in the shop.
Once inside, I could see the lone cashier feverishly checking out items at the till.
On the shelves were small packets of sweets, chocolates, biscuits, fruit juices and soft drinks.
Another staff member was making several trips between the storeroom and the shop with bottles of cold drink cradled in his arms to replenish the beverage fridges.
There were one of two boxes of teabags left and few personal hygiene products.
The fruit and vegetable crates were stood empty near the entrance of the shop.
Some shoppers were buying multiple packs of cigarettes. One woman begged the cashier to put aside the only two packs left of her preferred brand of smokes.
Outside, cars waited to fill up in another queue that stretched into the small street behind the station.
At some point, two workers walked out carrying orange cones to cut off the line for fuel.
The filling station has been packed and busy since yesterday (Monday) morning after locals who’d travelled to the nearby supermarkets for their weekly shopping realised they wouldn’t be opening their doors.
The station’s stock is likely to run out soon, if it hasn’t already.
