This story has been updated with additional information on the stores opening at Ballito Lifestyle Centre, the new Salt Rock City and Ballito Junction.

PLEASE NOTE: The Greater Ballito Operations Centre (GBOC) who are managing the disaster relief locally have asked the Courier to publish the below information. We are working very closely with the GBOC and will keep you updated accordingly.

Following a meeting of the recently established Greater Ballito Operations Centre (GBOC) this evening, it has been confirmed that certain shops will be open in Ballito and Salt Rock tomorrow (July 16) with carefully managed systems in place.

All major grocery stores, pharmacies and stores selling essential pet items will open from 9am to 4pm, with some retailers closing their doors at 3pm.

Also read: Stanger SuperSpar to reopen on Friday

These opening times will be subject to stock levels and the safety of both staff and residents, with retailers retaining the right to close if any of these aspects are compromised.

• Customers will be limited to 20 items per store.
• Vehicles will only be allowed into shopping centre car parks with one occupant, unless the passenger is frail or disabled.
• Banks will remain closed while clinics reopen and the sale of fuel is limited to security, responders, retail and municipal services.

The meeting at Salt Rock Hotel saw stakeholder representation from KwaDukuza Community Safety, Saps, Ballito and Salt Rock Neighbourhood Watch, community representatives from a number of bodies and areas as well as businesses in and around the Greater Ballito in order ensure a fair and equitable outcome for tomorrow’s reopening of stores.

“It remains GBOC’s primary concern and obligation to ensure that the Greater Ballito’s food and other essential goods supply is not compromised in any way by the reopening of retailers,” said GBOC CEO, Warwick Chapman.

The overriding intention is to ensure a fair and equitable opportunity to all residents to access retailers and to purchase products, subject to certain strict conditions, he said.

These conditions are aimed at avoiding hoarding and over-shopping, and to ensure that stock levels at the retailers are maintained at a sustainable level and until such time as supply stabilises.

Unfortunately current conditions dictate that only residents within the Greater Ballito area can be assisted.

To this end, no vehicles from outside the Greater Ballito area will be allowed to enter Ballito, Salt Rock or Sheffield.

• Only vehicles with NT number plates, taxis belonging to the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association (DCTA) and vehicles which have received an ‘authorised sticker’ specifically made for the purpose of allowing access, will be admitted through control points.
• Stickers that would allow access for vehicles that do not have NT number plates or which do not belong to the DCTA will only be issued to vehicles intended to provide essential services (such as critical municipal services, healthcare, entry of essential goods into Ballito). Councillor Privi Makhan will manage requests for these stickers which must be made to privi.m@gmail.com.
• Security personnel stationed at entry stations will receive instructions on how to vet and allow access prior to retailers opening, the decision of the relevant entry station commander or highest authorised officer at the entry station will be final.
• This arrangement has been confirmed with KDM Community Safety and Saps and is binding on all individuals wishing to enter the Ballito, Salt Rock or Sheffield areas.
• Pedestrian numbers will be subject to security and control measures and movement into centres will be on a one in, one out basis and may be limited at any given time.
• The ratio split between vehicles and pedestrians will be equitable.
• Shoppers must carry identity documents at all times, with their numbers being controlled at individual store entry points, thereafter one in, one out which is to ensure Covid regulations are complied with and security is maintained.

Should the situation within Ballito become volatile or difficult to manage, access into the area will closed off until such a time as it is deemed appropriate to reopen.

These agreements were reached impartially and without any bias in regards to competition, colour, race, class or creed.

“We want to reinforce that this town is not going to tolerate any misinformation, racial narratives or attacks. We are here to serve and protect our citizens in a peaceful and coordinated manner,” said Chapman.

Notable mention must be made of the efforts of KDM Traffic, SAPS, IPSS, Marshall Security, Chapman Security, Duma Security, the UIP, the Ballito and Salt Rock Neighbourhood Watch, the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association, DOCRRA, the KDM Residents Forum and the hundreds of volunteers who have given freely of their time and energy to protect our town, our community and our livelihoods.

He said a separate message confirming the position of the GBOC would be issued for communities outside the Greater Ballito area, with the details of other retailers operating in the greater KwaDukuza and Ilembe areas being listed and other forms of assistance being provided.

In this regard a community outreach programme is also being worked on by GBOC for the surrounding townships to ensure that these communities do not go hungry.

“We call on all residents visiting retailers to remain calm, follow the directions of security personnel and remain patient as we try and manage an already very difficult situation,” said Chapman.

UPDATE: 10pm

Ballito Lifestyle Centre has released specific information for access to the centre, as well as which stores will be open.

All of the restrictions mentioned in the original article will still apply.

For vehicles, the only access point is at the Nando’s entrance with 200 vehicles being allowed into the centre at any one time.

Thereafter, access will be controlled in a 1 in, 1 out system.

For pedestrians, the only access point is at the pedestrian gate on Ballito Drive.

200 pedestrians will be permitted access at any one time, after which access will be controlled in a 1 in, 1 out system.

Shopper numbers will be controlled at individual store entry points, thereafter 1 in, 1 out.

• Lifestyle SuperSpar, East Coast Pharmacy and Absolute Pets will be open from 9am to 4pm.
• Dis-Chem Pharmacy will be open from 9am to 3pm.
• Woolworths Foodmarket will be open from 9.30am to 3pm.

Queues will be managed towards closing times both at the centre access points and at the individual shops.

Depending on the length of queues, no further customers may be permitted to join the queue to prevent conflict or disappointment.

UPDATE 10.40pm:

1. Checkers 
2. Pet Zone 
3. Absolute Pets
4. Yamis  (take away only)
5. Mochachos ( take away only )
6. Col’cacchio ( take away only )
7. Water Well 
8. BK Biltong & Coffee Shop 
9. ATM’s 
10. Clicks 

Vehicle access will be limited and access points controlled.

Shoppers are limited to 1 member per family and shopping items will be limited. 

UPDATE: 8am, Friday July 16

The following stores are open at Ballito Junction, 9am to 4pm.

• Pick ‘n Pay
• Checkers
• Dischem
• Aloe Vet (emergencies only)
• Wozza Meats
• Clicks
• Absolute Pets