Businesses in Pilgrims Rest ordered to close

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Seventeen businesses in Pilgrims Rest, Mpumalanga, have been ordered to close by the end of the month.

A report from the town says the provincial department of public works, roads and transport issued the businesses with eviction orders on Friday, giving them 31 days to close.

The historic gold mining town's architecture has remained unchanged since the 1800s and it was declared a national monument in 1986.

Department spokesperson Dumisa Malamule says the leases of the businesses have expired.