[JURIST] Zimbabwe’s High Court [official website] on Tuesday ordered an immediate halt to the demolition of the homes of farmers who were evicted to clear space for a game park envisioned by First Lady Grace Mugabe [BBC backgrounder]. The case was brought by six farmers who sought temporary relief against the police and the ministry of land and home affairs. The court on Tuesday upheld [All Africa report] the farmers’ rights, basing its decision on section 74 of Zimbabwe’s constitution [text], which prohibits arbitrary evictions or demolition of homes without a court order.

The Zimbabwe government has faced criticism and legal action in the past. In September 2013 the high court ordered the release [JURIST report] of 21 activist members of the opposition party that had been detained for over two years. The following month, Zimbabwe’s highest court criticized [JURIST report] state prosecutors who sought to take legal action against people who insulted President Robert Mugabe. In November 2013 a Zimbabwean magistrate acquitted [JURIST report] a human rights lawyer who was charged with obstructing justice and being unruly to police officers.