Harare, Zimbabwe – In an ongoing investigation into the controversial business practices of “land baron” Kenneth Sharpe, new revelations have surfaced regarding a pattern of legal manipulation and injustice surrounding Sharpe’s actions.
The case of Roy Nyabvure, a former Chief Building Inspector for the City of Harare, highlights the extent to which Sharpe’s influence has reached into both the media and judicial systems.
This investigation, which began with revelations about the non-existent company Augur Investments securing a Supreme Court victory in 2023, has shed light on a series of troubling incidents. Most recently, the publicized arrest of journalist and investigator Edmund Kudzayi after accusations of extortion against Sharpe took a disturbing turn when national media outlets—including The Herald and ZBC—reported that Edmund Kudzayi was on the run, despite no attempts by law enforcement to contact them.
Within 48 hours, The Herald published three separate articles, including a full-named smear headline. Yet, after evidence proving the falsehood of the allegations was presented, there was no retraction or clarification—only silence.
Further investigation revealed a pattern of coordinated media attacks led by The Herald’s reporter, whose involvement in discrediting Sharpe’s former business partner—a man who claims to have been defrauded by Sharpe—raised suspicions of financial or political inducements to push a specific narrative.
The case took an even darker turn when the investigation uncovered how law enforcement was potentially complicit in manipulating outcomes.
In 2019, Tatiana Aleshina, an executive linked to Sharpe’s business ventures, gained access to confidential police witness statements within 24 hours of Roy Nyabvure’s testimony.
This information was reportedly used to pressure City of Harare officials, suggesting that someone within the police force was aiding Sharpe’s efforts to silence opposition.
In Edmund Kudzayi’s case, Ken Sharpe never personally filed the report that led to the arrest.
Instead, his communications officer, Michael Chideme, relayed events he could not have witnessed, which were subsequently used to justify legal action against Edmund Kudzayi.
This raises questions about how the police handled the case and whether there were any outside pressures influencing their actions.
Roy Nyabvure, a respected building inspector, became a key state witness in a case involving Sharpe’s property dealings. When Nyabvure verified the legitimacy of building plans associated with Sharpe’s project, he found himself facing criminal charges. He was arrested and charged with failing to follow internal procedures when approving the plans, even though the City of Harare had never filed a complaint against him. The charge appeared to be a direct response to his testimony against Sharpe.
Sharpe’s camp initially claimed that the building plans were illegitimate. When the plans were found to be valid, the story changed, with claims that they were forged. Nyabvure’s truth-telling role made him a key witness for the state, and his refusal to retract his statement led to his arrest.
Nyabvure, who had previously suffered a stroke, endured harsh prison conditions that worsened his health. Despite the urgency of his medical condition, he was denied release for treatment until intervention from Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Mangwiro ensured his admission to hospital. Nyabvure was chained to his bed under heavy guard, an action that many see as an attempt to intimidate and break his spirit.
The case of Roy Nyabvure illustrates a deeper problem within Zimbabwe’s legal and political systems, raising serious questions about how far individuals with power are willing to go to protect their interests. Ken Sharpe’s 40 consecutive court victories are now under scrutiny, with questions surrounding whether these legal victories were influenced by financial or political manipulation.
Nyabvure’s arrest and imprisonment, despite being a witness against Sharpe, serves as a stark reminder of the power some individuals appear to wield over Zimbabwe’s courts and law enforcement. His case also suggests that there is an orchestrated effort to silence those who challenge powerful figures like Sharpe.
The investigation into Sharpe’s business dealings is far from over, and the implications for the integrity of Zimbabwe’s legal and media systems continue to unfold.
