The Khayelitsha Magistrates' Court could not start on time on Tuesday after protesters arrived at the crack of dawn, demanding a court order promised to them from the court manager.
The protesters claimed they were promised assistance if they remained peaceful and stopped blocking roads with rubble.
Protester Bulelani Qhalani says: “We need a court order so that we can go build shacks.
“We were part of the people who had their homes demolished in Makhaza.
“We told (minister) Lindiwe Sisulu that we are not 49. We are more than 49.”
Protest outside Khayelitsha court. Video: Velani Ludidi
Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was in Cape Town in April following a High Court ruling that the City of Cape Town must allow 49 shacks to be built on the land.
There was an uproar when the evictions were carried out by the municipality during the lockdown.
People, who attended the Khayelitsha court yesterday, had to be let through a back gate as the protesters refused to let anyone in through the main gate.
“Since April we have been sleeping in tents because our landlords chased us away as we did not pay rent,” added Bulelani.
Bonile Mbidlana said they want attention: “Coming here was not to get the court order only, but also to raise awareness that there are people who are homeless.
“The court must give us a court order preventing the municipality from demolishing our shacks.”
Khayelitsha court manager Velile Yayi said what the protesters demanded was beyond his power as they did not grant the order: “I referred them to organisations that can assist them with getting a court order because what they demanded was not possible.
“I am happy to say they listened to me after our meeting and left.”