Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Court Reporter
POKUGARA Properties (Private) Limited has secured a legal victory as the High Court issued an interim order halting the spread of damaging allegations against the property developer.
The provisional order, issued on Monday, responds to a mounting wave of false claims published by The Harare Times, which accused Pokugara Estate of facing possible demolition of its property.
The court’s directive mandates the newspaper to remove the controversial article from its social media platforms and restrains it from publishing any further material concerning the developer or its projects pending a thorough investigation.
The court order vividly underscores the gravity of the publication’s alleged misconduct, stating that the first respondent, The Harare Times, is interdicted from publishing any unverified, false, or unbalanced articles regarding the applicants, Pokugara Estate and Mr Kenneth Sharpe, or their ventures.
The order further compels the newspaper to furnish full details of its directors and journalists involved in the publication, emphasising the court’s intent to hold accountable those responsible for the defamatory content.
In addition, the court has directed the second respondent, Zimbabwe Media Commission to investigate the conduct of The Harare Times in publishing the article titled “Land Baron, Kenneth Raydon Sharpe’s house faces demolition,” highlighting the judiciary’s resolve to protect the reputation of legitimate developers and investors.
WestProp, the developer behind Pokugara Estate, responded swiftly, dismissing the false reports that claimed their properties were under threat.
The company reaffirmed that all developments within Pokugara Estate fully comply with legal and municipal standards, describing the claims as “false, defamatory, unfounded, and intended to sow unnecessary panic.”
In its statement, WestProp declared, “Your properties are safe, your investments are protected, and your peace of mind is our priority,” reaffirming its commitment to transparency amid the legal tussle.
The court’s intervention marks a decisive step in safeguarding the reputation of WestProp and its flagship project, as it navigates the turbulent waters of media allegations and public perception.
The provisional order not only seeks to halt the immediate spread of misinformation but also signals a firm stance against defamatory journalism, promising to hold accountable those who threaten the integrity of legitimate business ventures through reckless publication.
