The eThekwini Municipality last night obtained an interim interdict to stop protesters supporting suspended Durban Mayor Zandile Gumede from protesting and intimidating residents and municipal employees. The Mercury reports the order came after Gumede’s supporters caused mayhem as they marched in the CBD yesterday. The protests brought the city’s operations to a halt as protesters threatened municipal staff who were eventually forced to vacate some municipal offices, including the City Hall. Hundreds of supporters came out in support of the criminally-charged Gumede as this week marked the end of her 30-day ‘special leave’. The ANC on Wednesday announced that it had extended Gumede’s leave to early August. The protesters demanded that city manager Sipho Nzuza resign, or be removed from his position as he is the accounting officer of the municipality. In terms of the court order, the unlawful protesters are restrained from ‘any act of intimidation, disruption or otherwise unlawful demonstration or protest action within the Durban CBD’. The matter will be back in court on 1 August for those wanting to oppose the order to provide reasons why it should not be made final.