North West Premier, Professor TJ Mokgoro has on Monday 14 June met with the Chairperson of Milk South Africa, this as part of ongoing government efforts to intervene in Ditsobotla Local Municipality where cheese manufacturing company – Clover announced its intention to close its Lichtenburg plant citing disruptions in their operations caused by poor electricity and water supply. The company also raised concerns about poor road infrastructure which has increased their operational costs.
Premier Mokgoro was accompanied by MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Mmoloki Cwaile and senior government officials from Office of the Premier, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Public Works and Roads and North West Development Corporation.
The Provincial Government has put forward several options which it is currently exploring as part of the intervention efforts. These include keeping Clover in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, delaying its relocation to Durban and embarking on partnership that could see the production of cheese kept in Lichtenburg.
The Chairperson of Milk South Africa Bonile Jack expressed his support for the provincial government’s efforts and further proposed that “government should set up a Sectoral Task Team that should include business and the provincial government”. Jack also expressed support for government’s efforts to engage Clover to keep their investment in Ditsobotla.
Premier Mokgoro has further directed MEC Cwaile to convene a meeting with the business community in Ditsobotla Local Municipality to engage on their challenges as well as the efforts that are underway to intervene in the Municipality.
Source: Government of South Africa