An agriculture union is demanding a swift and thorough investigation into a crash that left a woman dead and 13 others injured in the Worcester region of Kannetvlei. It’s understood that a group of farmworkers, mainly women, were being transported on the back of a truck when the driver lost control of the vehicle. It was during heavy rains.

The Agricultural, Food, Fishing and Retail Industry Workers’ Union (Afriwu) says it’s disgusted that farmers are still allowed to transport workers on open trucks without safety measures in place. Afriwu’s general-secretary Gafieldien Benjamin says South Africa needs to show farmworkers that their lives are valued like any other passenger. He has called on the government to implement laws that will protect these workers. Farmworkers play an important role in the food security of a country.