TimesLive reports that striking farmworkers, who have been squatting in the bush for more than a month, have vowed not to return to work until their demands have been met.  

Part and parcel of the dispute is the refusal of farmer Lawrence Hoatson to recognise the Democratised Transport Logistics and Allied Workers' Union, which claims to represent 250 workers at Normandien Farms, in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal.  Operations have been at a standstill at the farm since workers went on strike on 6 March in protest at poor working conditions and the lack of compliance with the sectoral minimum wage.  Things came to a head last week, when four workers were injured after allegedly being shot by security guards hired by Hoatson, prompting the intervention of agriculture MEC Themba Mthembu.  His spokesman, Khaye Nkwanyana, said the MEC had invoked the Land Tenure Act to return the workers to their homes.  "The remaining issue is their livestock that the farmer did not allow back on the basis that they have overgrazed his farm," said Nkwanyana.  Mthembu is expected to return to the farm soon in another bid to resolve the problem.

• Read this report by Bongani Mthethwa in full at TimesLive

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