Deputy Speaker, the DA deeply regrets the deaths of Mr Michael Daniels, 28, and Mr Bongile Ndleni, 40, during the recent farm workers' strike in the Western Cape. The DA believes that no one should have died as a result of a labour dispute over wages. Our heartfelt condolences go to their families and their next of kin. We pray that such wanton loss of life will not happen again.
It is thus unfortunate that the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, did not deem the violent labour unrest serious and urgent enough for her to return home from her trip to the International Labour Organisation, ILO, conference in Geneva to take charge of the situation. [Interjections.] We do, however, welcome, albeit with strong reservations, the efforts by the Department of Labour to get agreement between the representatives of the farm workers and the employers' organisations to have the current sectoral determination reviewed while guarding against any loss of jobs in the sector.
Meanwhile, the government must not pander to those who engage in illegal strike action and intimidation. Regrettably, some Cosatu and ANC leaders in the Western Cape are using real worker dissatisfaction to further their own narrow political ends. [Interjections.] We would like to caution that this is a dangerous thing to do and that it could have very serious consequences for the country. Thank you, Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]