Their leaders are attending an interdict case brought forward by Anglo American.

Before entering the court, one of the organisation’s leaders, Allen Ndela, who was arrested on Sunday, told the Middelburg Observer that his members were being harassed by the police, despite their peaceful protests.

He further mentioned that they have applied for a five-day permit to protest near the court.

The protest is aimed at highlighting the failure of the Department of Justice and Minerals to protect farm dwellers.

RET said whenever they try to engage with mine officials regarding job opportunities, instead of exploring alternative means of communication, the mines resort to obtaining court interdicts. They suspect a high court official is colluding with the mines to issue these interdicts.

On Monday, the judge issued a directive for the two parties to hopefully resolve the matter, but the legal representatives stated that they couldn’t reach a resolution.

During today’s court proceedings, the court informed the legal representatives that the required forms had been completed and that the agreed date for the case was too far in the future, considering the urgency of the matter.

Since being removed by the police from the entrance of the Witkerk Saturday, the protesters have been camping at Van Blerk Park near the church.

They allege that their belongings were taken during the eviction.