MBABANE – The Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA) has warned the nation to be vigilant on bogus sugar traders claiming to have been allocated sugar by the ESA.
This comes after the ESA has witnessed a proliferation of several unauthorised sugar traders both in the country and in neighbouring countries all claiming to have been allocated sugar by the ESA. A press release issued by ESA urged the public and business community to exercise caution when engaging with people presenting themselves as sugar traders and those who claim to have a sugar quota. It also states that some have even presented forged documents to their potential customers either depicting ESA letterheads or purporting to be signed by senior personnel at ESA.
“People who claim to have sugar allocation with the ESA without being allocated sugar formally are doing so maliciously and fraudulently. Only ESA can sell Eswatini sugar in pack sizes of 50kg or above.” reads the press release. The ESA has encouraged the public to verify the status of the person or entities with the company, before proceeding to deal with them. “To verify the status of a sugar trader, interested people can contact the ESA Commercial Department on +268 2411 7600 or marketing@esa.co.sz.” reads the press release.
