Warnings issued on price hiking of goods

PEOPLE cashing in on the coronavirus pandemic are set to be brought to task by new regulations put in place by government this week.

Along with strict new rules concerning public gatherings and restricted liquor trading hours - companies are now prohibited from increasing their prices for essential items which include hand sanitizers, toilet paper, face masks, cleaning products and gloves.

On the food front, the products for which prices will be regulated include cooking oils, flour, rice, maize meal, pasta, sugar, boxed milk, canned and frozen vegetables and bottled water.

The new regulations fall in line with government’s

Disaster Management Act which was declared last Sunday.

The regulations put in place necessary steps to prevent an escalation of the pandemic as well as to contain and minimise the effects.

This comes in light of stores and pharmacies reportedly escalating their prices in response to panic buying. Due to shortages of some essential items, social media has also been abuzz with budding entrepreneurs advertising products, most of which have not been accredited, at an inflated price.

Those found guilty of violating the regulations could face hefty penalties including fines of up to R1-million or jail time of up to a year.