An agreement was reached between the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the Musina local municipality in the Pretoria High Court on Friday for Cosatu to increase the number of picketers on the Zimbabwe border to 500.
The other limitations imposed by the municipality still stand, the court ruled.
The costs of the application were reserved, and the agreement was made an order of the court by Judge George Webster.
Cosatu brought an urgent application to contest an official decision to limit the number of picketers to 200.
The protesters are also prohibited from coming within 200m of the Beit Bridge border post.
The application was aimed at ensuring the right to protest and to assemble, Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi said in an affidavit before court earlier on Friday.
The federation also sought to avoid unnecessary conflict with police who would have to enforce the limitations.
Cosatu planned the picket on Friday morning in solidarity with Zimbabwean workers, and against the alleged curtailment of their rights by that country’s government.
The trade union federation expected about 500 participants.
”The issue giving rise to the protest is of major concern and importance to all democrats, and is of major public interest,” Vavi’s affidavit states. — Sapa