The South African government has raised the minimum wage for farmworkers by 50% in response to a wave of violent strikes, but farmers have said the increase would only cause job losses and more unrest.

The City of Tshwane has dismissed media reports led by the Democratic Alliance, alleging that the municipality is bankrupt.

The director of the Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR), Johan Kruger, says the increasing tendency of aggrieved workers to resort to violence, threats of violence and intimidation in pursuit of higher wages and better working conditions is not only unconstitutional, but also illegal.

Nine municipalities in the Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo will be affected by the Treasury’s decision to invoke section 216(2) of the Constitution against them.

Unemployment and poverty are certainly South Africa’s terrible twins. The social risks of a restive, unemployed workforce are legion, and creating jobs for them is a challenge.