By Paul Nyathi|POLICE in Rusape have been ordered to compensate $14k to each of the six former farm workers whose properties they allegedly destroyed during a forced eviction at Lesbury Farm in June 2017 to pave way for the new farm owner, Bishop Trevor Manhanga.

Police officers besieged Lesbury Farm, popularly known as KwaSmart, and violently chucked out the farm owner, Robert Smart, his family and workers to pave way for Manhanga, who was being rewarded for “praying for the former First Family”.

The workers, who had their property destroyed and left counting losses, in February last year sued through Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), demanding compensation for lost property.

According to an application by one of the farm workers, Emily Phiri, Inspector Nyakuedzwa of Rusape Police Station led a brutal force with other unknown assailants clad in worksuits and assaulted her using batons.

“On June 19, 2017, our client and other occupants of the farm were evicted from their homes. They were attacked by riot police despatched from Rusape Police Station under the command of Inspector Nyakuedzwa and other unknown assailants wearing blue worksuits, who also disposed of our client’s personal property.

Phiri, who claims she was born and bred at Lesbury Farm, said she had lost property worth $890 during the evictions that includes blankets, television set, wadrobe and a DVD player.

“Our client is suing for unlawful assault, compensation for the loss of property that was apprehended (sic) or destroyed by members of the ZRP, and constitutional damages for inhuman and degrading treatment and arbitrary evictions ….,” the notice continued.

The Court on Thursday ruled that the farm workers be paid a total of $14k by the police.

Meanwhile, a number of farm workers have gone back to Lesbury Farm following the return of the Smart family, who have since begun production.