There was a row between court officials and journalists barred from entering Schabir Shaik's fraud and corruption trial today because security had been increased.

On Monday journalists had to apply for access cards to the Durban High Court, which were granted to two reporters per media organisation.

The tags were also worn by court officials and the public. However, today they were putting blue hospital tags around reporters' wrists and putting their belongings through a screening device.

They said the number of wrist tags was equal to that of available seats and that because members of the public had got there first, there were not enough.

An SABC reporter left outside today said: "It's constitutionally wrong ... the rules can't just change overnight with-out informing us."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Argus.