Some farmworkers at work as calm returns to Robertson

WHILE calm has been resorted to the Nkqubela township in Robertson, talks are underway to resolve the tensions over farm jobs that led to violent clashes.

On Wednesday, Langeberg municipality’s mayor, Schalk van Eeden said mop up and cleaning services had resumed in the area.

The area was hit by violence last week when Lesotho farmworkers clashed with Zimbabweans over claims that they were preferred for farm jobs in the area.

Hundreds of Zimbabweans were left destitute, fearful to return to their homes after clashes on Thursday saw shacks burnt and people injured.

Van Eeden said information received from SAPS indicated that there were 15 minor injuries recorded, two cases of public violence registered for investigation, five shacks burnt down and one person arrested.

He said while no cases of theft were opened with police, Zimbabweans claimed that around 20 shacks were broken into.

“Langeberg Municipality is currently facilitating discussions with the various role players to address the situation and finding the way forward. Thank you to the residents, businesses, churches and other organisations who provided humanitarian relief efforts to the displaced foreign nationals,” he said.

Xolani Mgwalana of the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU) confirmed that operations in the area were slowly returning.

“We had people going to work (both from Lesotho and Zimbabwe ) as of the beginning of the week even though it is not all of them,” he said.

“While as a trade union we have not been part of the meetings that have been held with the different departments and employers, we have been encouraging dialogue between everyone to ensure that what happened never repeats itself.

“There are some (foreign nationals) who left over the weekend, but there is no telling how many there are.”