Investigative journalist Edmund Kudzayi has fiercely dismissed allegations of extortion leveled against him by businessman Kenneth Sharpe, calling them “absurd and baseless” and accusing Sharpe of using the legal system to silence critics.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a strongly worded statement, Kudzayi refuted Sharpe’s claim that a payment of USD 24,344 made to him in 2023 constituted extortion. Instead, he insists the money was part of a legitimate settlement for professional work he had done for Sharpe, initially valued at over USD 160,000.
“A Record That Warrants Scrutiny”
Kudzayi, a former editor of The Sunday Mail, claims that the accusations are a deliberate attempt to discredit his ongoing investigative series into Sharpe’s alleged misuse of state institutions and what he describes as an “extraordinary record of 40 uninterrupted court victories.”
“Such a record defies credulity,” Kudzayi wrote, arguing that Sharpe has consistently manipulated legal technicalities and allegedly corrupt networks to secure favorable rulings, even using defunct companies—such as Augur Investments OU—to litigate cases.
Disputed Payment and Allegations of Duress
The payment at the center of the controversy, according to Kudzayi, was not extortion but rather a settlement for work completed. He alleges that Sharpe dragged out the payment process and sought to link it to a commitment that Kudzayi would not write about him.
“My silence was not for sale,” Kudzayi stated, asserting that he eventually signed an agreement with Sharpe’s lawyers under duress. However, he claims the contract was legally meaningless, as it lacked valid consideration and was based on coercion.
Sharpe’s lawyers later demanded a refund of the USD 24,344, a move Kudzayi says directly contradicts their claim of extortion. “Since when do extortionists issue refunds?” he asked, calling the accusation “idiotic” and arguing that it undermines the credibility of the police officers handling the case.
“Weaponizing Institutions to Silence Critics”
Kudzayi accuses Sharpe of leveraging his wealth and influence to manipulate law enforcement, the judiciary, and the media in Zimbabwe. He claims the businessman has “weaponized” the police to manufacture cases against critics, including himself.
According to Kudzayi, the police prematurely labeled him “on the run” in court documents before even attempting to contact him. He argues this was part of a media strategy to tarnish his reputation before he had a chance to respond.
“The sequence of events betrays their real motive: to discredit me publicly before even attempting any formal inquiry,” he said.
Kudzayi also alleges that Sharpe has used his connections to position himself close to the President’s Office, creating the illusion of state endorsement to deter investigations into his dealings.
Past Allegations and Broader Concerns
This is not the first time Sharpe has been accused of questionable dealings. Kudzayi draws parallels between his own case and that of George Katsimberis, a Greek businessman who has been embroiled in a legal battle with Sharpe over a collapsed property deal.
Katsimberis has long alleged that Sharpe manipulated city officials to retroactively invalidate his building permits, leading to the demolition of his developments and legal action against him.
“I Will Not Be Silenced”
Despite the ongoing legal threats, Kudzayi remains defiant, vowing to continue his investigation into Sharpe’s dealings.
“My investigative series will continue to expose the truth, regardless of the consequences,” he declared, promising to reveal further details about Sharpe’s alleged misuse of defunct companies, judicial corruption, and abuse of law enforcement agencies.
To support his claims, Kudzayi has released private communications, including a transcript of an audio message sent to Sharpe, emails with his company’s Chief Operating Officer, and legal correspondences from both parties.
