Police fire rubber bullets as protests erupt in De Doorns

Thousands of farm workers resumed the strikes that left two people dead last year. Pictures: Denzil Maregele/Foto24

Western Cape police fired rubber bullets at striking farmworkers in De Doorns in the early hours of this morning.

“The protest in De Doorns erupted at around 3am this morning and police intervened and used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd,” police spokesperson Warrant Officer November Filander said.

“People were arrested, but I have no further details on the incident. Police will continue to monitor the situation.”

Farmworkers in De Doorns in the Western Cape want their minimum R69 daily wage increased to R150. The strike began on August 27 last year, and was called off on December 4 and resumed on Wednesday.

Since the strike resumed on Wednesday, De Doorns has been the epicentre of violent clashes between protesters and police.

On Thursday, police used a water cannon, fired rubber bullets and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse thousands of strikers who pelted them with stones.

A truck was hijacked and set alight on Saturday morning.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) offered to intervene in the strike on Saturday saying it had the authority, the skills and experience to mediate a solution.

“We have offered our services – which we are empowered to do in matters of public interest – and trust that the parties will respond positively to our offer,” executive director Nerine Kahn said in a statement.

The CCMA said they were in a position to mediate a binding short-term agreement while the parties wait for a sectoral wage determination from the labour department.

- Sapa