At least 30 protesters from various civil society organisations, trade unions and political parties gathered outside the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court on Tuesday ahead of a child porn case.
Court Room F was packed with journalists and representatives of activist organisations on the second day of the bail hearing of eight people arrested in connection with a string of child pornography charges.
State prosecutor Tania Carstens was expected to oppose bail before Magistrate Pierre Wessels.
On Monday, in statements read to the court seeking bail, the accused, aged between 26 to 61, denied any wrongdoing. None of them had previous convictions. The professions of the three women and five men ranged from pig farmer to housewife and car guard.
They face charges of rape, indecent assault, sexual grooming of children and possession, manufacturing and distribution of child pornography.
Those arrested included a grandfather, 58, grandmother, 57, their two sons from previous relationships, aged 34 and 36, the grandfather's brother, 61, and his wife, 42, and their mentally disabled son. The 26-year-old wife of one of the sons was also arrested.
According to reports six children, from the age of four and older, were allegedly used in sex movies which were then distributed.
Social workers became suspicious after two foster children - who were removed from the families in March and October - started doing badly at school. - Sapa