SA retailers respond to Swazi sugar farmer evictions

Responding to allegations of illegal evictions of smallholder sugar cane growers from their farms in Swaziland, South African supermarket retailers have indicated that they would be keeping an eye on human rights conditions in that country.

Farmer’s Weekly previously reported that the Swaziland Justice Forum had accused Swaziland’s King Mswati III, the Tibiyo Taka Ngwane sovereign wealth fund, and the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation of being behind illegal and reportedly violent evictions of smallholder sugar cane growers in that country.

In a report on the matter, the forum indicated that Pick n Pay, Spar, Woolworths and Shoprite Checkers were buying sugar from RCL Foods, which had a 29,1% shareholding in the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation.

Chief legal officer of RCL Foods, Stephen Heath, denied that the company was complicit in any human rights violations in Swaziland. Janine Caradonna, a spokesperson for Pick n Pay, said the retail chain did not source sugar directly from the sugar corporation and also expected all its suppliers to operate legally and ethically.

“We are, however, concerned about the allegations [made by the forum] and have put them to our supplier, RCL [Foods].

“They have responded with an assurance from [the sugar corporation] that the allegations are untrue.

“We trust that the matter [will be] investigated thoroughly and will continue to engage with our suppliers,” she said.

Both Shoprite Checkers and Woolworths stated that they had been informed by RCL Foods that the company was unaware of any illegal activities in this regard.

Responding to the allegations, the European Commission said in a statement that Swaziland currently benefitted from dutyfree and quota-free access to EU markets for all exports, including sugar, as part of the EU-Southern African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement.

If a beneficiary country was found to be in breach of the principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the EU could suspend trade benefits to such a country, the statement said.

Ongoing attempts by

Farmer’s Weekly to obtain comment from both the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation and the office of the Swazi Prime Minister were unsuccessful.

FOTOLIA ABOVE: There has been an outcry from members of the sugar value chain in South Africa following reports of small-scale sugar cane producers being evicted from their farms in Swaziland.