Hippo Valley Estates Ltd has said that developments surrounding Tongaat Hullet’s application for provisional liquidation in South Africa have no bearing on its Zimbabwean operations.
In a statement, Hippo Valley Estates’ Head of Corporate and Industry Affairs, Dr Dahlia Garwe, acknowledged the anxiety triggered by the news but stressed that local operations remain stable and unaffected.
“We recognise that news of Tongaat Hulett Limited’s liquidation in South Africa may cause concern about our operations here in Zimbabwe. We want to provide clarity and assurance,” Dr Garwe said.
She explained that “the joint Business Rescue Practitioners of Tongaat Hulett Limited have applied to the High Court of South Africa for an order discontinuing the company’s business rescue proceedings and placing Tongaat Hulett Limited (South African operations) into provisional liquidation.”
Dr Garwe attributed the decision to challenges in implementing the rescue plan, stating, “This decision follows the Business Rescue Plan no longer being implementable as a result of the lapsing of the Sale Agreements with Vision Sugar.”
Addressing the implications for Zimbabwe, Dr Garwe was unequivocal.
“The developments in South Africa do not involve our Zimbabwean operations, which function as independent legal entities with separate management, finances, and operations,” she said.
She added that Hippo Valley Estates remains financially robust, operationally sound, and fully committed to all contractual obligations.
“Production continues normally, and we reaffirm our commitment to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and communities,” Dr Garwe said.
Dr Garwe urged stakeholders to remain calm, saying the company remains open to engagement.
“Should you require any clarifications or additional information, please contact the undersigned,” he said.
The assurance comes at a time when Tongaat Hulett’s South African restructuring efforts have drawn significant regional attention, given the company’s long-standing footprint in the sugar industry across Southern Africa.
