Small-scale farmer near eMbalenhle blames Sasol for farm auction
Sasol also verbally notified all the lessees of the farms well in advance of its intent to sell the farms on a tender basis and bids were received from all the lessees.
Essaw Shabalala, a goat and cattle farmer who leases farmland next to eMbalenhle from Sasol, claims the petrol chemical giant has put up the farm for auction without informing him.
Sasol has recently placed several farms on auction with a bidding period attached.
Shabalala said was not given prior notice to prepare for the auction.
According to him, his lease agreement with Sasol only ends in September and he was surprised to see that the farm he uses, is part of the auction.
“I stress about what to do with my livestock and all the things that are here. Sasol disturbed my business as a small-scale farmer.
“I am hoping Sasol will give me at least this year. Maybe by next year, I will have found another farm from the government on which to work,” said Shabalala.
Shabalala has been leasing his farm from Sasol for the past 20 years. He thought he would have been given preference when it was time to auction off the farm.
Sasol said their Land and Rights Department invited bids to be lodged from eligible persons. The bidding time began in April and lasted until June for six of the company’s agricultural properties.
“Sasol also verbally notified all the lessees of the farms well in advance of its intent to sell the farms on a tender basis and bids were received from all the lessees.
“Sasol lease agreements are concluded for one year only, with the current agreements being valid from 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022.
“In terms of Clause 3.3 of the lease agreement, each party can give written notice 60 days prior to termination,” said Nomia Machebe, Media and Communication manager at Sasol.
