Share

Agri SA: Let farmers deal with workers

Cape Town - Farmers whose workers are on an illegal strike across the Western Cape should be allowed to decide on the most appropriate action against them, Agri SA said on Friday.

"Lawlessness and criminal activities cannot be tolerated and the culprits must be held accountable via normal prosecution processes," Agri SA labour committee chairperson Anton Rabe said.

Employers should decide on what to do with striking workers, as the protest was not protected under the Labour Relations Act.

"Agri SA has also not agreed that no disciplinary action should be taken against striking workers and agitators."

Protesters looted shops and set buildings alight in Swellendam in the Hex River Valley in the Western Cape, police said on Friday.

"We have received reports of unrest and torching of businesses, but the situation is under control," Western Cape police spokesperson Lt-Gen Andre Traut said.

He said police officers were monitoring the situation.

According to news reports on Friday morning, roads in the area, including the N2, had been blockaded with rocks and burning tyres. eNews Channel Africa (eNCA) reported that shops were being set alight, protesters looted a bottle store and a butchery was torched in Swellendam on Thursday night and Friday morning.

Rabe welcomed discussions aimed at bringing the strike to an end.

"We are committed to constructive discussions that will ensure the profitability and sustainability of commercial agriculture in the long term."

He said interested parties had to work together to restore business confidence and peace of mind so the country's image could be restored.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.93
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.90
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.1%
Platinum
907.85
+1.2%
Palladium
1,012.25
+1.1%
Gold
2,218.87
+1.1%
Silver
24.85
+0.8%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders