Minister discourages stockpiling, bulk buying
JOHANNESBURG – Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel has discouraged stockpiling and bulk buying of groceries and other essentials as many South Africans fear that the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) could lead to a lockdown in the country.
Shoppers flocked to wholesale and retail stores yesterday to stockpile on non-perishable goods and supplies after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the Covid-19 a national disaster on Sunday.
Patel said the government had reached out to the industries in a bid to quantify production in the country. He said the government was in communication with the food and beverage sectors, steel, auto, retail, pharmaceutical, mining companies and importers of the basic foods over measures to mitigate supply shortages. Patel also said the Competition Commission would be on high alert after complaints of stores hiking prices of items such as hand sanitisers.
Source: iol.co.za
