‘Where can we get food?’ – Pietermaritzburg residents ask

Facebook groups have been abuzz today with people asking which shops are open or where they might be able to get food staples, and other necessities.

With most of the city’s stores looted, and those that are still standing closed as a safety precaution, the search for food, petrol and other essentials, such as baby formula, prepaid electricity and petrol has become more and more desperate, but not much have been forthcoming.

Residents have been travelling across Pietermaritzburg, as far as Hilton, in search of a shop that is open and stocking basic food staples, but to no avail.

While there are a few takeaway outlets that have resumed trade, people are cautioning the advertising of places that are open or servicing the community on a small scale as this could attract looters and put communities and businesses at risk. People are advised to phone their local food outlets and find out if they’re operating if they require food instead of posting it online.

To worsen the situation, fake messages have also been circulating saying that some supermarkets are open for essentials on an order-in or delivery basis, or advertising services on behalf of a company that turns out not to be true, causing more confusion and false hope.

Residents are now banding together to share resources, and looking out for one another, including the elderly.

In Howick this afternoon, residents were queuing up to receive milk from a tanker provided by a local farmer.

In other areas, residents are sharing items they have a surplus of or responding to requests from others for items such as nappies or baby food.

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