No one can remember when last people were barred from entering Johannesburg's Zoo Lake Bowling Club but it happened yesterday on the orders of a sheriff of the court.
The sheriff had the locks on the doors of the 82-year-old club changed as the Johannesburg Property Company went ahead with its implementation of an eviction order.
But an urgent application to the Johannesburg High Court about an hour later halted the eviction for the time being and the club will open its doors when the locksmiths return today.
Stephen Hardie, attorney for the club, said: "We brought an urgent application to stop the eviction on the basis that we are appealing it."
The Johannesburg Property Company indicated late last week that it would go ahead with the eviction even though a ruling on Friday by the Johannesburg High Court found that its awarding of a lease to new tenants was unconstitutional.
The news yesterday that the sheriff was coming had staff removing items of value from the bar, such as the flat-screen TVs, and expressing fears for their jobs.
"Who is going to look after the security if we can't get into the premises," said Ronnie Veitch, the club captain.
The club has been fighting to retain the premises for the past three years since discovering that a lease tender had been put out. The tender was awarded to Kenako Consulting.
Even though club members were unable to get access to their club house yesterday, they marked their victory in the Johannesburg High Court and celebrated spring day on the patio, with drinks bought at a bottle store.
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