Pokugara Properties Wins Legal Victory against False Claims by the Harare Times
Business Times
Pokugara Properties (Private) Limited has scored a key legal victory after the High Court issued an interim order preventing the spread of false and damaging allegations published by The Harare Times.
The order, issued on Monday, comes in response to a wave of inaccurate reports from the newspaper, which falsely claimed that Pokugara Estate was at risk of demolition. The court has now directed *The Harare Times* to remove the contentious article from all its social media platforms and has prohibited any further publication of similar claims about Pokugara or its projects while the matter is investigated.
The court’s ruling underscores the seriousness of the allegations, emphasizing that *The Harare Times* is prohibited from publishing any unverified, misleading, or biased content about Pokugara or its ventures. Justice Rogers Manyangadze’s ruling stated, “The 1st Respondent (The Harare Times) is hereby interdicted from publishing any material concerning the Applicants (Pokugara and Mr. Kenneth Sharpe) or their associated developments.”
Additionally, the court order mandates that *The Harare Times* provide full details of its directors and journalists involved in the publication of the article. This move is aimed at holding the individuals responsible for the defamatory content accountable.
The court also directed the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), the second respondent, to investigate the newspaper’s conduct in publishing the article titled “Land Baron, Kenneth Raydon Sharpe’s house faces demolition.”
The order reflects the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the reputation of legitimate developers and investors from damaging, unfounded media attacks.
In response to the false reports, WestProp, the developer behind Pokugara Estate, moved quickly to reassure the public. The company firmly rejected the allegations, asserting that all developments within Pokugara Estate comply with legal and municipal regulations. The developer called the claims “false, defamatory, and intended to cause unnecessary panic,” further emphasizing that the properties were not under threat.
In a statement, WestProp reaffirmed, “Your properties are safe, your investments are protected, and your peace of mind is our priority,” highlighting the company’s commitment to transparency and reassuring investors amidst the ongoing legal proceedings.
The High Court’s intervention represents a significant step in safeguarding the reputation of WestProp and its flagship Pokugara Estate. It also sends a strong message against reckless journalism, affirming that those who spread harmful misinformation will be held accountable for undermining legitimate business interests.
The interim order not only halts the spread of these false claims but also sets a precedent for holding media outlets accountable for unsubstantiated and defamatory publications.
