OTHONGATHI - The South African Canegrowers Association called on government to intervene and help keep Tongaat's mills and refineries operational.
It says the liquidation poses a severe threat to growers, workers and the broader economy.
Tongaat faces possible liquidation after failing to conclude a financing deal with the Vision Consortium.
The department says Tongaat can still be stabilised and restructured through a sustainable solution that balances everyone's interest.
It says it will intensify engagements with all stakeholders to explore solutions that ensure the company’s survival.
The SA Canegrowers organisation has welcomed the Trade Industry and Competition Department's intervention to oppose the liquidation of Tongaat-Hulett.
The organisation says over 40-thousand jobs are at stake and that time is of the essence.
CEO Thomas Funke said they have seen many imports come in.
"A situation like this for one company is as result of a number of factors, but if the economics aren't right then it's not that easy to make things work. Import and import protection is one of those factors. We also have the sugar tax which affects the sector quite badly. We hope minister Gondongwana will keep it stable for another year.
"But I think the resolution has to be found around Tongaat Hulett specifically, we don't have a lot of time to do that. We just got communication from minister Parks Tau that the department of trade, industry and competition is looking at opposing the liquidation next Friday in court. To us this is very good news, it shows that government is taking this seriously and minister Steenhuisen in our meeting yesterday also made the same comments and obviously between the two of them try to find a way forward."