The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa’s Food Safety Initiative executive Matlou Setati has reiterated that while the recent unrest and disruption has had a negative impact on the country’s food security, there’s no reason for panic buying at this point.
This as the country was gripped by more than a week of chaos.
More than 200 people were killed when looters ransacked shopping centres and torched key industrial infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
South Africans feared facing major food shortages leading many consumers stockpiling on groceries and consumables.
A struggle to find food for Katlehong residents protecting malls:
However, Setati has advised consumers not to panic buy and has called for intensified security.
“If the safety and security of transportation are not secured then that brings up a challenge but we are satisfied that the N3 has since been opened even though yesterday the burning and looting of one facility which was a huge concern to us back to where we started in terms of security measures that are on the ground needs to be enhanced.
We are comfortable in terms of the resilience of the supply chain in South Africa and we should not have any challenges in terms of maintaining the supply to the most vulnerable.”
Arrest of ring leader imminent
Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has given the assurance that an alleged ring leader of the violence and looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal will be arrested today.
Three more people have been taken into custody and are expected to appear in court soon.
One of the alleged instigators was arrested on the West Rand.
Cele says they are determined to ensure that all those who are behind the criminal acts are brought to book.
More than 200 people have been killed in the week of violence and looting that followed the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma.
