They do not really implement the labour laws. Most of the cases we see concern workers not receiving pay. There are some cases of evictions. There are still some farm owners who think they can hit and intimidate people. Across a dusty track, four families live in metal sheeting shacks and a broken, ancient trailer.
Tiny puppies run amid discarded rubbish.
Towards evening smoke from wood fires wafts across the hovels. The farmer will not build houses for seasonal workers. No money for houses. All it took for the PAC to capture enthusiasm was to address local grievances like the lawyers letters sent out by the council for service arrears or the sky-high electricity bills. In the Western Cape's rural towns the election up to now seems to be fought through posters strung on lamp-posts along the main roads.