The High Court in Pretoria on Thursday issued an order restraining the Mpumalanga provincial government from evicting occupants of Pilgrims Rest business premises.
Judge Stanley Makgoba said the tender process to obtain new tenants had not been transparent and inclusive.
“It is in the interest of the public that the present occupants of the buildings who are operating there continue to occupy and serve the community,” said Makgoba.
“The applicants have made a good case for a review of the awarding of the tenders. I hereby give judgment in favour of the applicants.”
Business people of the sleepy historic gold mining town, which has been declared a national monument, approached the court after being served with notices to vacate the premises this month end.
The premises are owned by the Mpumalanga public works department. - Sapa