Johannesburg - A crowd of up to 800 protesting farm workers dispersed on Monday afternoon following a protest on the N1 highway at De Doorns, Western Cape police said.
Lt-Col Andre Traut said the protesters, who were locked in a wage dispute, grew from around 500 in the morning as workers from neighbouring farms joined in the protest.
The highway between Touws River and De Doorns was closed as a precautionary measure, but has since reopened.
Traut said the protesters had set fire to veld along the route.
No arrests were made and police would remain in the area to monitor the situation.