First round of panic-buying causes havoc at Kempton stores

Kempton Park turned into a madhouse on Thursday last week – the last day before the 21-day lockdown came into effect at midnight.

Express visited some stores and found cars lined up at entrances to different shopping centres, causing traffic jams as motorists tried to get into parking areas.

Residents were seen queuing outside stores to buy essential items. Store doors were closed and guarded by security personnel who only allowed a certain number of shoppers in at a time. Security guards were also seen spraying individuals with sanitisers when entering and exiting stores.

Inside, Express noticed shelves with no bread, tissues, tinned food, sanitisers and disinfectants.

Residents were seen pushing trolleys loaded with pet food and products like spaghetti, rice, maize meal, drinks and snacks. At Checkers Cavendish Glen, a woman had 10 loaves of bread, while another man bought seven packs of onions.

Doris Ngwenya from Glen Marais, who shopped at Dis-Chem Pharmacy at Glen Acres, said panic buying made no sense – it is irrational.

“Medicine have been stockpiled, I couldn’t get immune boosters. People want to buy bulk medicine for various general illnesses, fearing a supply shortage in future and forgetting about others.

“The president gave us the opportunity to buy essential items during the lockdown period. People are meant to get minimal medication and supplies and not stockpile. I feel for those who cannot afford to stock up,” said Ngwenya.

Cathy and Clive Salgado from Aston Manor spoke to Express before shopping at Glen Acres Superspar. The pair appealed to the community to remember the underprivileged individuals.

“We are here to buy essential items for our workers who do not have access to items they need. We do not want our employees and the underprivileged to feel left out during this devastating period,” said the Salgados.

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