This might be an interesting forum to put this story into, but to an extent it comes down to the selective application of existing legislation.

This story in M&G online sets the background.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) will oppose any attempt by the City of Cape Town to sue it for damages caused in a march that turned violent in May, the union said on Wednesday.

However, it had yet to received any summons or letter of demand, said Satawu spokesperson Ronnie Mamba.

" ... Our position is and has always been that when they do sue, we will oppose it."

Satawu was reacting to a report on Tuesday that 248 people had reported personal injuries and damage totalling R1,15-million as a result of the May 16 rampage.

--and--

The Gatherings Act gives claimants three years to bring action. Until now, no one has tested this legislation.
And I'm going "Hold on. Am I reading that right".

The Gatherings Act has been in place for some time. Part of the principle of being able to gather/march is that organisers are responsible for malicious damage caused by the gathered mass. Could it be true that this area of responsibility has been ignored for all these years?