SMME protesters disrupt court

CHAOS erupted at the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday when nearly 100 members of the Black Business Forum and Nelson Mandela Bay SMMEs protested inside and on the front steps of the court building.

"Give SMMEs what they want", "Fulfil your promises" and "We are not hooligans" were slogans written on some of the posters brandished by protesters.

Leaders of the SMMEs were summonsed to appear in court yesterday after they violated a court order to cease protest action at the Coega Industrial Development Zone last month.

Only the SMME leaders were summonsed to appear in court, but upwards of 80 people showed up yesterday, demanding to be allowed into the court.

Other cases taking place in the court were delayed as those involved could not get into the building. Other cases could not continue due to the noise of the singing and shouting protesters.

Pumeza Bono, owner and director of Pumeza Bono Incorporated, one of the SMMEs, said the matter was postponed to September 16 to allow members of the Black Business Forum to file papers in order to oppose the court action. - Riaan Marais and Lee-Anne Butler