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The Presidency has noted media statements by the Premier of the Western Cape, Ms Helen Zille that the President should assist her to resolve the strikes by farm workers in the Western Cape.

We wish to point out that the Premier has access to all line function national Ministries that are working on the matter, such as Labour, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the South African Police Services. The Premier should thus, work with her colleagues, the Ministers in the relevant portfolios to discuss the assistance she needs.

Regarding the deployment of troops that Ms Zille has referred to, it should be recalled that the President approved the employment of the South African National Defence Force in September, to assist the police in areas around the country where there has been unrest. Premier Zille is again urged to speak to her colleagues, the Ministers responsible, to discuss the request.

The President supports the Ministers and the Premier as they work to bring the situations under normality.