This is especially problematic as the plant depends heavily on water. This is according to the Chief Executive Officer of the North West Chamber of Commerce and industry, André Coertzen, who says the issue has never been solved, adding road conditions en route to the factory are also problematic. 

Coertzen further tells OFM News that if the Ditsobotla Local Municipality attended to these issues the entire situation could have been avoided. Coertzen says there are currently talks about the North West MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono, having a sit-down with Clover bosses to discuss plans on cancelling Clover's relocation decision. 

Coertzen says it's not too late for a decision towards the continuation of operations in the North West, considering the major relocation costs that will affect the company and the large unemployment rate in the province.

OFM News previously reported on the company who on Tuesday released a statement to officially announce its departure from the area and blamed the Ditsobotla Local Municipality for its failure to maintain infrastructure and to deal with water and power shedding over the past few years. 

Employees, who spoke to OFM News on the basis of anonymity, said the closure of one of the biggest companies and employers in the area will have dire consequences in their lives, for their families, including the community. They say the company has, however, given them options to relocate with the company to Queensburgh in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Should they not relocate, they might lose their jobs in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

OFM News/Blaine Jones