Tobacco supply delays send Durban customers in frantic search
While smokers can now legally purchase their tobacco product of choice - some local shops are still waiting on Tuesday morning for stock to arrive.
Newswatch spoke to a customer who's driven to several petrol stations, north of Durban, and was told to come back later.
READ: Durban tobacco, liquor businesses fear stock shortage as sales resume
We entered lockdown Level 2 at midnight, which also allows for tobacco items to be sold again.
READ: Social visits permitted under lockdown Level 2
Newswatch reporter, Nushera Soodyal's been out visiting convenience stores before the big shops open - to check whether cigarettes are back on the shelves.
Listen below:
#CigaretteBan @ECR_Newswatch has been to 2 petrol stations, in Umhlanga who have had customers coming in from 5am asking for #cigarettes.They have had to turn them away as deliveries haven’t come in. This Phoenix resident who says he’s been to 3 stores who have no stock #Level2 pic.twitter.com/8nP402cS86
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) August 18, 2020
Meanwhile, people have been flocking to liquor outlets in around Durban - after alcohol stores reopened.
READ: Here's what's banned under Alert Level 2 lockdown
The sales ban on booze was lifted at midnight, when the country shifted to Level 2 of the coronavirus lockdown.
Shops can sell alcohol between 9am and 5pm and only from Mondays to Thursdays.
#TheReturnOfAlcohol Another resident says he’s happy the ban was lifted and came to the store as early as he could #Level2 @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/8sz2qfoBI8
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) August 18, 2020
