Cape Town - The City of Cape Town applied for a court interdict on Wednesday to stop a protest by the city's Informal Settlements Group.
The protest, which was scheduled to take place on Friday, was not approved, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said in a statement.
“A golden triangle meeting, which incorporates the SA Police Service, did not approve their application due to credible evidence received under oath indicating that such a gathering could result in a serious disruption to vehicular and pedestrian traffic; injury to persons; and possible damage to property,” she said.
“Law enforcement authorities have also established there are serious threats of unprecedented levels of violence erupting in the event that the march takes place.”
The city claimed protesters had vowed to continue with the demonstration despite being denied a permit.
De Lille said it pursued the interdict as a last resort to avoid a repeat of the violence during a protest organised by the same group a few weeks ago.
She was referring to a group of about 3500 people which took part in what was believed to be a service delivery protest in October.
Some protesters looted shops and vendors' stalls, and damaged property in central Cape Town.
De Lille said that while everyone had the right to protest, they also had to abide by the law.
Sapa