Scores of ostriches died on farms in the Oudtshoorn area in the heat wave that seared the Western Cape this week, Die Burger reported on Wednesday.

On one farm, Vredelus, where 15 of the birds died on Tuesday, owner Pieter Schoeman said it was the first time in 20 years that his employees were unable to work because of the heat.

A temperature of 45°C was measured in the sun at Kamanassie outside Oudtshoorn on Tuesday afternoon, and in one house the temperature was 29 degrees even with the air conditioner switched on. - Sapa