The refugees’ leaders say they are ready for any judgment and would rather die than be moved.

The South African Police Service, Department of Home Affairs and Tshwane Metropolitan Authority say the residents demands are in some cases misdirected and are not practicable.

Judge Natvarlal Ranchod stood the matter down for a second day yesterday and urged the parties to reach an agreement on what can be achieved.

The refugees say their protest demanding the UNHCR move them to safe countries, away from xenophobic attacks in South Africa, will continue 

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As the urgent action seeking to remove them stretches into a third day in the Pretoria High Court, the refugees insist they are not going anywhere.

Refugee leader Aline Bukuru says they are ready for any court judgment.

“We would die here and the world would see the UNHCR is not prepared to protest us,# she said

She was in the Pretoria High Court where the Home Affairs Department and South African Police Service have asked to be heard on problems they have with demands by the residents of Brooklyn and Waterkloof.

Judge Natvarlal Ranchod has stood the matter over for another day to allow them to prepare documents.

The refugees are not represented in court. 

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The matter has postponed until tomorrow after the court heard that nuisance, health and security risks posed by the nearly month long protest cannot be allowed to continue.

Arguing for the residents of Brooklyn and Waterkloof,  Advocate Thuys Strydom  says the refugees are not above the law.

He says Tshwane Metropolitan Authority must enforce its bylaws to end the illegal gathering.

For the local authority Advocate Adrian Voster says thesis a matter for Home Affairs.

For the government department Advocate Zilpha Raphesu says Home Affairs will act, but only in concert with the municipality and the South African Police Service.

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Ten portals have been provided and they have pitched later tents on the pavements.

The residents associations of Brooklyn and Waterkloof are seeking a court order forcing the Tshwane Metropolitan authority, South African Police Service and Department of Home Affairs to move the refugees.

More than 600 mainly Congolese citizens are involved in the protest that has lasted more than three weeks.

Residents say the the refugees pose health and security risks.

The UNHCR says moving them is a complex matter that has to take its place with hundreds of thousands of other refugees in need of help around the world.

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