The Makana Municipality has obtained an interdict following protests that have brought the City to a standstill.
The interdict is against the Unemployed Peoples Movement and its spokesperson, Ayanda Kota, who was named as a respondent in his personal capacity.
A total of six parties, including the Minister of Police and the Makhanda Station Commander, were also cited in the judgement.
Judge Judith Roberson interdicted the first to fourth respondents, which broadly includes members of the community involved in the protest, from gathering in groups in breach of Level 3 lockdown regulations.
They're also interdicted from preventing the free movement of people and preventing the opening and lawful of business in Makhanda.
Roberson also instructed that the Sheriff, with the assistance of the police if required, should give effect to the interdict.
Members of the Public Order Police (POPS) were deployed around Makhanda on Thursday after taxi drivers and community members made their way to town blocking roads and forcefully closing shops in the CBD.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said employees were instructed to go home and schools have been closed.
He warned protesters not to engage in activities that will lead to confrontation with law enforcement.
A spokesperson for the Unemployed Peoples Movement Ayanda Kota said the only thing that will satisfy residents now is for the Premier to dissolve the Makana Municipality Council.
Meanwhile, the COGTA MEC Xolile Nqatha has strongly condemned the protest action.
He also expresses his deep concern that people with a nefarious political agenda have hijacked the situation in Makhanda.
In a statement issued on Friday, the provincial government acknowledged that the demands of the protesters were genuine and the provincial government has invested millions of rands to address the challenges.
The short-term plans include the construction of the bypassing sewer system that will run behind the town, fixing of potholes, streets lights, high mast lights, ablution facilities at taxi ranks as well as addressing water outages by focusing on fixing the decaying water infrastructure and capacity of dam levels.
A resolution was taken to report back within 14 days to assess progress.
