WATCH: Riots force KZN farmers to dump 28k litres of milk daily

The supply of food, fuel and medication has come under the spotlight, after looters and arsonists went on the rampage in the province this week. 

Agricultural union Kwanalu's CEO Sandy La Marque says farmers have no choice but to dump some 28 000 litres of milk a day. 

"With respect to milk being dumped and other produce being dumped, the challenge is that it obviously has a lifespan and cows have to keep being milked. They don't just stop because there is riots taking place in this province. The eggs are continuously being laid by chickens. 

“So, unless there is a value chain, unless there is a production opportunity that people can get to the food processed, it is becoming a very serious problem.”

READ: KZN medics battle for fuel in wake of unrest

Long queues have been seen forming outside a few grocery outlets that can open their doors. 

Customers have been asked to reduce the amount of time they spend in the store and only buy a limited number of goods. 

Bread and milk are among the items in short supply. 

La Marque says it's clear that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in KZN. 

"Currently, we are seeing widespread destruction taking place in any of our rural agricultural towns and we are seeing a humanitarian crisis unfolding where there are no longer food supplies, essential services, medical facilities available to people in most areas.”