Pretoria - Labour Minister Nelisiwe Oliphant has strongly condemned acts of violence and intimidation by striking truck drivers belonging to the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu).
This comes after certain striking truck drivers set a van alight in Kraft Road, Elandsfontein, on Monday.
The drivers are demanding a 20 percent increase over the next two years.
"Violence and intimidation only destroy the genuine struggle of the workers. I urge those that advocate violent activities to refrain from such a habit," Oliphant said.
The minister has called on the negotiating parties to endevour to find a settlement.
She warned the workers not to react with anger and rash emotion as this kind of behaviour shifts attention from valid workers' issues and has the potential to taint the credibility of trade union movements, as well as the process of collective bargaining.
She urged the leaders of the unions to continue to negotiate until a settlement is reached.
"The industry is very important to our economy and prolonged industrial action is not in the interest of our country. It is important for South Africans to remain committed to social dialogue as it is the best method to resolve differences," said the minister.
Oliphant said the law allowed the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to intervene in disputes of public interest and the body was watching the events on the ground to act if the need arose and to help the parties resolve their dispute speedily.
