The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) is more determined than ever in its fight against e-tolls, despite its protest plans being halted by a court ruling last night.
Gauteng provincial secretary Dumisani Dakile says the union will fight what it believes is an unjust system until the bitter end. The fact that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) stepped in to stop this morning's planned protest, says Dakile, just goes to show how strong the anti-e-toll movement is.
Protesters will still meet at Cosatu House in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, this morning where the group will decide on a way forward.
"We are going to gather and receive a report from our lawyers as to the action we can take following the [Magistrate Court's] ruling that a protest this morning would be unlawful. As it stands, we have two options: either we submit an urgent appeal to the High Court, or we proceed as planned."
The JMPD yesterday refused to grant Cosatu permission to block certain Johannesburg routes. Dakile says the refusal was borne out of concerns that the action would be violent.
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar says there will be a strong police presence at Cosatu House and intended protest routes this morning.
Dakile says next Friday's protest - planned to take place on certain of Ekurhuleni's main routes - will go ahead as planned.
"This morning's protest would have just been a warm up. There will be more action."
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