Eight people including a 57-year-old man were arrested for public violence after clashing with police at the worker’s protest in Grabouw.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said the eight includes one woman and seven males aged between 18 and 52.
A statement released by the Commercial Stevedore Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU), general secretary Trevor Christians revealed that their representative Karel Swart was among those arrested.
Swart was arrested shortly after addressing protesting farm workers and local community people, who came out to protest and had blockaded parts of the N2 highway.
On Monday, workers from Oak Valley Wine Estate demonstrated with placards, burning tyres and closed the N2 in both directions between Sir Lowry’s Pass and Botrivier.
They were demanding a R250 minimum daily wage, single quarter accommodation to be converted into family units, and all seasonal workers to be made permanent.
The protest erupted after it was alleged that Oak Valley Wine Estate rejected negotiations around workers’ demands.
On Tuesday the situation was still tense in the area, as protesters forced road closures by blocking traffic with burning tyres and rubble .
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