The Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is seeking an urgent meeting with Breede Valley municipality and the judiciary in the wake of farm workers’ evictions in the area, notes a Weeklend Argus report. Western Cape SAHRC Commissioner Chris Nissen said the meeting with the Magistrates’ Commission was intended to bring the plight of farm workers to its attention.

‘We cannot influence the judiciary as it has to remain fair and independent. But the evictions of farm workers, whether legally or illegally, have led to the violation of their dignity as some had to spend days along the side of the road with nowhere to go.’

Also of concern, Nissen added, was that even though it was often claimed that the evicted farm workers understood the complicated Extension of Security of Tenure Act, when the evictions were carried out, the workers’ signatures were only indicated with an X.

He said the body was also seeking a meeting with the municipality to discuss whether it had plans in place to find adequate alternative housing for farm workers who were evicted.

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