EWN reports that lawyers representing the state said that, while they were disappointed with the Constitutional Court’s (ConCourt’s) judgment regarding peaceful protests, they would abide by its decision.  

The apex court on Monday upheld the ruling of the Western Cape High Court that found it unconstitutional for a group of people to be criminally charged for convening a peaceful demonstration without notifying the authorities.  Earlier this year, the same court overturned the convictions of 10 activists from the Social Justice Coalition who had been found guilty of convening an illegal protest in Cape Town back in 2013.  The police minister then appealed the matter.  State attorney Simangele Bedrow commented:  "We’re actually disappointed but we commit to abide by the court’s decision regarding this matter.  It was not what we were expecting based on the arguments that we advanced on our behalf."  The police minister has been ordered to pay the costs of the appeal and the ConCourt has also set aside the arrests and convictions of the 10 activists.

• Read the full original report by Thando Kubheka at EWN

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