Farm workers return to work
About 300 farm workers who went on strike in Wolseley in the Western Cape returned to work today, the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the province said.
Provincial general secretary Vusi Myeki said the workers agreed to suspend the strike for at least two weeks until a decision was made on the farm workers’ minimum wage.
Protests over wages in the Western Cape spread across the Boland, with table grape harvesters demanding to be paid R150 a day. Most earned between R69 and R75 a day. The strike was continuing in other areas of the province.
This morning protesters looted shops and torched businesses in the Hex River Valley in the Western Cape. Roads, including the N2, were blockaded with rocks and burning tyres.
“We have received reports of unrest and torching of businesses, but the situation is under control,” Western Cape police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said.
eNews Channel Africa reported that protesters looted a bottle store and that a butchery was torched in Swellendam last night and this morning.
Agri SA said the farmers should be allowed to decide what action to take against their illegally striking workers.
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