The leaders were arrested for illegally gathering at the High Court and staging a protest.

On Tuesday, the Middelburg Observer spoke to Allen Ndlela, one of the organisers of the protest, who explained that the members of the organisation started erecting tents near the Witkerk in protest against the Department of Justice last Friday.

According to Mr Ndlela, there is an official within the High Court “who collaborates with mining companies to continuously issue court interdicts against them”.

He said whenever they attempt to engage with mine officials about job opportunities, instead of finding alternative ways to communicate, the mines resort to obtaining court interdicts.

He further stated that during his arrest, he was assaulted. When the police forcibly removed RET members, they lost their belongings, tents, gas stoves, and R20 000 that had been collected among the members.

He emphasised that the members cannot return to the farms.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the mines operate on farms that have land claims, yet they fail to provide opportunities for the dwellers. He also criticised the lack of proper utilisation of the mining charter to protect dwellers.

The protesters have since moved from the court building and are now staying at the park near the Witkerk. Mr Ndlela stated that they will be back at the High Court on Wednesday to fight against the interdict.