The High Court in South Africa has ordered the Nelspruit Market Agency, trading under the name Whoopi Up (Pty) Ltd, to immediately cease operating as a fresh produce market.
By Jasper Raats, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
The order follows an application lodged by the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) on 30 September. According to APAC, the company (registration number 2018/607164/07) is in the process of deregistration and may no longer act as a registered fresh produce agent, as stipulated in Section 16 of the Agricultural Produce Agents Act (Act 12 of 1992).
APAC is a statutory body established under Section 2 of the same Act to regulate the activities of fresh produce, export and livestock agents, and to ensure integrity, transparency and financial compliance within the sector. The council’s responsibilities include registering agents, enforcing a code of conduct, and protecting producers against mismanagement, fraud and financial loss.
According to the council, all agents acting on behalf of producers must fulfil a fiduciary duty to their clients and conduct themselves in good faith, honestly and professionally at all times. APAC also monitors administrative and financial compliance through annual audits and may suspend the registration of any agent who fails to meet the legal requirements.
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