Twenty families were on Monday evicted from Grootsvlei Farm situated in Goromonzi District following a High Court order. The families have been staying at the farm's compound and reports say they had been refusing to work for the new owner Mr Edward Dube, among other things.

This resulted in the farmer applying for an eviction order.

The case, booked at the High Court under HC7116/12, was heard by Justice Ben Hlatshwayo in November last year.

Reads Justice Hlatshwayo's judgment; "The respondents and all those claiming occupation through them be and are hereby ordered to vacate subdivision 1 and 3 of Grootsvelei Farm situated in Goromonzi District of Mashonaland East Province, failing which the Deputy Sheriff together with such offices of the Zimbabwe Republic Police as he may require shall eject the respondents aforesaid together with all persons claiming occupation through them from the said property.

"This order shall operate with full force notwithstanding any appeal that may be noted against the order.

"The respondents shall pay costs of suit jointly and severally the one paying the others and be absolved".

The owner of the farm, Mr Dube, said he accepted the judgement and would abide by it. He said the 20 families were not part of his workforce, adding they were just occupying some houses built on his farm.