×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Businessman accused of threatening rival

News
AUGUR Investments chairperson Ken Sharpe, who is also Mall of Zimbabwe project promoter, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with threatening a Russian businessman with unspecified action unless he dropped a police report against him.

AUGUR Investments chairperson Ken Sharpe, who is also Mall of Zimbabwe project promoter, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with threatening a Russian businessman with unspecified action unless he dropped a police report against him.

by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU

In the alleged threat, Sharpe is said to have called Douglas Walsh on the phone indicating that “there will be blood on the streets” if the latter failed to take heed of his warning to drop a police report against him in connection with a Shamva gold mine.

Sharpe, who was not represented, pleaded not guilty to breaching the Posts and Telecommunications Act when he appeared before provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe.

The court heard on Monday last week, Sharpe called Walsh on his mobile phone during which time he allegedly used grossly offensive language.

The State alleges during the conversation, Sharpe said to Walsh: “If you don’t get this stopped, there will be blood on the streets and I have people in high places to fix you.”

However, in his defence, Sharpe admitted calling Walsh, but said the idea was to set up a meeting to “amicably resolve” their differences.

“I explained that I was not the owner of the mine, but it was my partner Alexander Sherimet who owned 100% of the shares in Fellow Goldmines. I said I was only representing him and his interests and asked if we could meet as soon as possible,” Sharpe said.

“Walsh then asked if I was threatening him, but I responded that I was just asking for a meeting.”

Sharpe had earlier in his defence outline indicated he knew Walsh as a fellow citizen of Ukraine and that their wives were friends.

“We are from the same country, Ukraine. On this particular occasion, there was a case at CID Frauds against me involving my mine in Shamva. The said mine was previously owned by my father who is now late, but his remaining assets according to his will were left in the custody of his girlfriend who stays in South Africa,” Sharpe said.

The trial is expected to continue today.