The ANC's desperate attempt to take over the Western Cape through their Project Reclaim ... [Laughter.] ... stooped to new depths this week when the ANC enticed a violent uprising in the Hex River Valley. Havoc erupted when vandals and non-farm workers torched vineyards that were ready to be harvested, burned farm workers' homes and looted local shops, causing about R100 million's worth of damages.
It is no coincidence that these violent acts occurred after visits by ANC leaders, including Deputy Minister Fransman, who is again in De Doorns as we speak. [Interjections.] The DA, through our mayor, and the provincial ministers of community safety, and agricultural and rural development, have been facilitating dialogue between the farmers and the people in order to bring peace to the area to prevent the loss of lives and further damage to property.
It is shameful that the ANC continues to exploit the plight of vulnerable people by fanning racial tensions for their own cheap political gains. [Interjections.] The ANC is resorting to violence to achieve what they could not do through the ballot box. [Interjections.] It leaves us with the question, if wages are the real issue, why were no charges laid with the authorities? Thank you. [Applause.]