According to the tenants, a community meeting was being held when the security guard told them they were not allowed to hold meetings in the building complex.

The victim said he and 30 others were physically assaulted by guards. He managed to open a case with the Middelburg Police on Tuesday and went to the hospital for medical treatment.

The tenants said they have been struggling to open cases with the police, who have been reportedly neglecting them.

Last week a security building was set on fire, leading to seven people being arrested for public violence. The angry tenants have been staging demonstrations at the complex since mid-January.

Also read: Four Hope City tenants arrested for property damage

They are demonstrating against the Steve Tshwete Housing Association (STHA) for not providing service delivery and building maintenance, constant electricity cuts due to non-payment by the STHA, illegal evictions, illegal towing of vehicles, and unlawful repossessing of furniture.

Tenants want a trust fund to be set up for them to pay their rent into instead of the housing association’s account as the STHA doesn’t pay rates and services to the municipality, which results in residents being unable to purchase electricity.

On Wednesday, the CEO of the STHA said a court order by the High Court interdicted 15 tenants from threatening and victimising other tenants. The court order also prohibits the 15 tenants from gathering in the complex.

Mr Ntuli said the tenants have been given three days to move out of their units.