Pic: Thamsanqa Mbovane GroundUp
Violent protests are continuing in the Kirkwood area of the Eastern Cape, where farmworkers are demanding an hourly rate of R30.
A provincial delegation of the South African National Civic Organisation, Sanco, was locked in a meeting with protesting farmworkers for hours in Kirkwood on Tuesday afternoon.
Freelance reporter, Thamsanqa Mbovane, who has been covering the violent protests in the area, says at the meeting, it was decided to suspend the strike action for 14 days, but angry farmworkers rejected it.
He said on Wednesday, residents, as well as farmworkers, were still burning tyres in the township where looting was taking place.
"The town is still closed and taxis are not moving, as taxi drivers fear for their lives. The suspension of the strike for 14 days means nothing for the striking workers because they say they have never mandated Sanco leaders to negotiate on their behalf", Mbovane said.
He says residents and farmworkers believe they should get quick answers and not wait for 14 days.
