South Africa is Africa's wealthiest country and, although there are huge gaps between classes, is able to give a relatively comfortable living to a privileged few.

South Africa confirmed its first coronavirus case on the 5th of March 2020. It came from someone who had been travelling to Italy. The infection rate began slow, but soon began to ramp up in the subsequent days and weeks. The majority of the cases were coming from international visitors, leading to the closure of the borders and the grounding of most flights. As the virus continued the ravage the world, South Africa's cases of coronavirus increased but at a slower rate than most other countries. By the 9th of March, there had been 18 deaths and soon after, a national lockdown occured. This is one of the strictest lockdowns to be found globally.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52125713

The lockdown has been praised globally, however it has come with a great number of restrictions, including

• a ban on leaving the house except for essentials - South Africans are not even allowed to go for jogs or walk their dogs

• compulsory closure of all non-essential businesses

• a curfew on taxis transporting workers in essential services

• a ban on cigarettes and alcohol

It is the last point that has caused a great deal of controversy. Tipplers have found themselves on a surprise detox, and smokers are being BTFOd by cravings. This has led to many liquor stores being looted. Here is a video of liquor store being looted:

https://old.reddit.com/r/southafrica/comments/fz0t7v/can_anyone_confirm_thought_you_guys_were_doing_so/

There have been many calls for South Africa to lift alcohol and cigarette ban but they've all been denied lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQE-yW3G284

Additionally, the SA Army has been deployed to patrol the streets. However, the army has been so brutal that at one point there were more deaths from brutality than from coronavirus 🤭

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/2265100/eight-people-allegedly-already-killed-by-police-during-lockdown-more-than-the-virus/

Additional hilarities include a wedding that was busted by the police. Everyone was arrested 🤣:

https://i.redd.it/2av95ns3c2r41.jpg

https://old.reddit.com/r/southafrica/comments/fvhorf/south_african_couple_arrested_for_hosting_wedding/

The lockdown has been effective and vastly slowing down the spread of the virus, potentially stopping an immense catastrophe.

https://i.redd.it/wlbm8bpeo8t41.png

It has completely tanked South Africa's economy which has now been officially downgraded to junk status.

https://businesstech.co.za/news/finance/385575/south-africa-downgraded-to-full-junk-status/

Furthermore, many people live hand-to-mouth and are unable to work during the lockdown, leading to starvation in the townships. Unlike burgerstan, there are no trumpbux being handed out so anyone starving is shit outta luck unless they're helped by NGOs.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-04-17-the-biggest-lockdown-threat-hunger-hunger-everywhere/

So when will South Africa's lockdown end? Will the economy ever recover? The answers are still unknown. But people are hungry and the looting's started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwADR4p0gfQ