The government says the ailing company is a crucial player in South Africa’s sugar value chain and its demise would have ‘far-reaching and devastating consequences’ for the sector

The sector says the health promotion tax introduced in 2018 has hurt sugar producers and cost jobs

The sugar industry says new regulations aimed at combating health problems will hurt profits and jobs, but a civil society coalition strongly disagrees

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced a postponement of the sugar tax for 12 months

The financial and public health cost of diabetes, as well as diabetes-related blindness and kidney failures, is being overlooked, health advocates say

The master plan to rescue the industry means that at least 80% of sugar consumption will come from South African farms and millers

The levy has generated R5.4-billion in revenue since its inception two years ago, and an increase will help the fight against Covid-19