The trade union was asked to make a payment of R200 000 for the planned protest against e-tolls and not R2-million, the Johannesburg Metro police department (JMPD) said on Friday.
"It was R200 000, not R2-million," said spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Cosatu Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile told protesters gathered outside Cosatu headquarters on Friday on Friday that the JMPD had asked for an upfront payment of R2-million for the e-toll protest to go ahead.
"We have never paid money in order to exercise our constitutional right. We are not prepared to pay even half a cent … let them go to hell."
Minnaar said the charge was a monetary guarantee for protection against potential damage.
He said they did not always charge for protests.
"We charge only if we are of the view that there might be damage or injury during the protest."
The decision to charge Cosatu was based on their previous protest against e-tolls.
Drive-slow protest
According to Dakile, Metro police also told Cosatu it had a sworn statement stating there would be violence at the march.
"We have had many marches, peaceful marches. That is their plan to stop us."
Cosatu's application to embark on a drive-slow protest on the city's highways was dismissed by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Cosatu approached the court after the JMPD refused it permission for the protest.
In December, the N3 highway was briefly closed when protesting motorists parked their cars and danced during a similar drive-slow motorcade.
Earlier this week, Dakile said the motorcade was planned for the M1 north, N1 south, N12 and M2 north highways in Johannesburg.
March called off
However, the march was called off. A group of protesters who had gathered outside union's headquarters on Friday morning dispersed after the march against e-tolls was cancelled.
The group, clad in Cosatu colours, had been singing anti-e-toll slogans outside the offices throughout the morning.
They marched up and down the adjacent Simmonds Street under the watchful eye of members of the Johannesburg Metro police, the South African Police Service and provincial traffic officials.
"We respect the law, but if other people are going to manipulate it, then we will defy [it]," said Dakile.
He accused the JMPD of "deliberately" halting the march by not granting permission to do so.
The union federation is set to meet with Ekhuruleni Metro officials at 3pm on Friday to discuss another anti-e-toll protest planned for March 31 at the metro, said Dakile. – Sapa