Members of Parliament invaded a farm as a political stunt – Papenfus
Members of Parliament (MPs) recently invaded a farm, with the help of armed police officers in civilian clothes, as part of a political stunt.
This is the view of Gerhard Papenfus, the CEO of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA).
However, the Department of Employment and Labour described it as an inspection and blamed the farm owners for interfering with their work.
On 4 February 2026, a group of approximately 50 unidentified individuals arrived at the private property of Normandien Farms in the Newcastle district.
Normandien Farms is the largest employer in the district and includes Thirsti, which produces bottled water and sports drinks.
Normandien Farms and Thirsti have 3,000 employees and a spotless compliance record with South Africa’s labour laws.
However, the MPs, who arrived unannounced in approximately 10 SUVs, demanded entry to the private property, Papenfus said.
“On arrival, they intimidated and overran security. They failed to adhere to the safety protocols of the employer,” he said.
When security refused them entrance, they were threatened with arrest by the police, in civilian attire, carrying semi-automatic assault rifles.
The pedestrian gate was then overrun, and the vehicle gate was forced open. The employer’s security staff lost control of the site.
Papenfus added that there was no introduction, identification, or letter of appointment shown or offered by the group.
“The composition of this ‘mob’ was only ratified later by viewing posts on the Department of Labour’s Facebook page,” he said.
He claimed the members of the Portfolio Committee on Labour hurled verbal abuse and racist remarks towards senior staff members of the employer.
“There is no doubt that the Portfolio Committee on Labour, which participated in this rogue ‘inspection’, abused its authority,” he claimed.
Papenfus described it as an invasion of the Normandien Farms and a political stunt by members of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.
“This was not a labour inspection. It was an abuse of power. It cannot become the norm in South Africa,” he said.
MPs acted outside of the law – Papenfus
Papenfus explained that the authority to monitor and enforce compliance with labour laws lies exclusively with labour inspectors.
They are granted, in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the right of entry, to question, and investigate.
They also have the right to issue compliance orders where contraventions have been identified at a business.
“The employer has never refused access to inspectors. On the contrary, the employer has received regular visits in the normal course of business,” he said.
In general, Portfolio Committees are responsible for scrutinising legislation, reviewing departmental budgets, and ensuring executive accountability.
In this case, its oversight responsibility relates largely to the evaluation of the performance of officials and employees working in the department.
Papenfus argued that Portfolio Committee members have no right or power to participate in or interfere with an inspection.
They also do not have any right to engage in, berate, swear at, or instruct a private-sector employer in any way.
“Their role, if permitted as part of oversight, is simply to monitor the performance of the inspector, nothing more,” he said.
Papenfus said the manner in which this inspection was conducted indicates this was not due to an obligation to ensure worker rights.
“It was a political stunt aimed at attacking an employer, without any prima facie justification, in public to be seen as protecting the rights of employees,” he said.
“The shameful and unlawful manner in which members of the Committee conducted themselves during an inspection at Normandien Farms is scandalous.”
Department of Labour statement
The Department of Employment and Labour released a statement regarding the visit on 4 February 2026.
It said the visit included people from the Inspection and Enforcement Services and the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.
“During the joint inter-department team visit to the farm, there was muted resistance to cooperation,” the department said. “The farm owners were warned of their actions and later relented and allowed the inspection.”
The department said it conducted an inspection with the Department of Employment and Labour, the South African Police Service, Newcastle Metro police, and the Department of Home Affairs.
The inspection assignment was being overseen by the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.
Members of this committee were on an oversight of departmental operations in the Amajuba district.
It added that the owner of Ithemba Security Services had a verbal altercation with members during an inspection blitz.
“The man tried to interfere with the work of the Committee that had accompanied a joint inspection blitz by the Department of Employment and Labour,” it said.
“The man had to be removed by law enforcement officers from the premises of Normandien Farms for being unruly.”
Meanwhile, the sawmill of Normandien Farms was served with the prohibition notice on 4 February 2026.
“The legally binding directive to halt operations was issued by inspectors to stop dangerous work activities,” it said.
“Members of the Portfolio Committee have vowed to take action against the owner and his security company.
Normandien Farms visit video
Normandien Farms visit photos
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