Benito Moses News Today

South Africans embarked on at least 86 protected and unprotected labour protest actions last year, a majority of which were from the public service sector over wage disputes.

The family of a Gqeberha security guard who died in hospital after being deployed to assist at the recent Kirkwood riots say they are both devastated and angry with how the situation unfolded.

A Gqeberha security guard deployed to assist at the recent Kirkwood riots has died, nine weeks after he sustained severe head injuries after being caught up in the violent clashes with farmworkers.

Tension hung over an eerily quiet Kirkwood days after violent protests led to the death of one man and millions of rand in damage as buildings were gutted and equipment destroyed.

A shutdown in the citrus-growing Sundays River Valley have turned violent with protesters saying they will continue until demands are met.

Scores of farmworkers, joined by residents, protested for almost a week in the Kirkwood area, demanding an hourly wage increase of R6.81 and a 30% limit on the hiring of foreigners.

A farm worker was shot dead as protesters shut down Kirkwood on Monday, blockading roads with burning tyres and clashing with armed security guards hired by farmers as well as police.