Several reports have linked the strikes to the wine trade and a report on the BBC website said that rubber bullets and tear gas had been used to control striking fruit pickers in the region.

The strikers are asking for their daily wage to be more than doubled to about £11, according to the BBC. The action was taking place in De Doorns.

A spokesperson for WOSA said: “It doesn’t appear strike action in the Western Cape is connected to the wine industry but we’re keeping an eye on the situation, going forward. The South African wine industry, through its support of the Wine and Agricultural Industry Ethical Association (WIETA), and also Fairtrade, is working hard to ensure the ethical treatment of workers. Amongst the conditions WIETA sets are that workers should have the right to a living wage and to be protected from unfair discrimination.”