Cape Town — The City of Cape Town has reached agreement with the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) and Labour Court on a temporary interdict to stop a "mass disciplinary process" against 101 metro police officers who took part in a blockage of the N2 highway in August.

Samwu Western Cape secretary Andre Adams said yesterday the city realised its case was weak, and was trying to pre-empt a final court order. Acting Judge Denzil Potgieter was due to make a ruling today. Samwu sought the interdict on Friday.

"At the very least we believed we would get a temporary interdict," said Adams, hailing the "victory" for the union. By preventing Samwu members from cross-examining or giving oral evidence at a disciplinary hearing, the council was breaching an agreement with the union and the principles of natural justice.

Samwu wanted the process to be conducted against each individual. The council said that would be a drawn-out, expensive process.

The court order granted yesterday means the council would not continue with its "collective disciplinary process".

The council could now file supplementary affidavits before Potgieter rules. Samwu can file replying affidavits, and both sides will file supplementary heads of argument for the matter to again be argued on November 30. A council spokesman said the city sought the interdict so it could submit supplementary affidavits.