Certain limitations on a Congress of South African Trade Union picket on the Zimbabwe border were arbitrary and unreasonable, Cosatu argued in papers before the Pretoria High Court on Friday.
Cosatu is bringing 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 is aimed at ensuring the right to protest and to assemble, Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi said in an affidavit.
The federation also sought to avoid unnecessary conflict with the police, who will have to enforce the limitations imposed by the Musina Local Municipality.
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.
Argument in the case was expected to have started at 9am but had not begun an hour later. – Sapa