The Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg) has set aside an eviction order granted against 84 men‚ women and children living at 8 O’Reilly Street‚ Hillbrow‚ in Johannesburg’s inner city‚ the Socio-economic Rights Institute (Seri) said. According to a TimesLIVE report, it said the court held that the eviction order should not have been made without the City of Johannesburg being part of the proceedings.

The city is obliged to ensure that the eviction of the community would not result in homelessness. The High Court was considering the residents’ appeal against an order evicting them from their homes made by Justice Victor in 2014. Thulani Nkosi‚ the Seri attorney acting for the residents, said: ‘It is unfortunate that many eviction orders are still made against people who stand to become homeless‚ without the relevant local authority being joined to the proceedings and held to account for its duty to provide temporary shelter. Today’s judgment underscores that courts must be vigilant in protecting the poor and vulnerable people from being left out on the streets after an eviction.

Full TimesLIVE report