News / National
Robin Vela accuses Jayesh Shah of smear campaign
1 hr ago |
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Former Robin Vela has publicly accused businessman Jayesh Shah of attempting to influence public opinion and court proceedings through a media smear campaign, in connection with a corporate debt dispute over US$1.82 million.
Vela, who served as National Social Security Authority (NSSA) chairman, said he acted as a guarantor for his company, which allegedly owes Al Shams Global money. He stressed that the matter is still before the courts, despite media reports suggesting otherwise.
"The article, touted to several journalists over the last month, is sponsored by Jayesh Shah of Al Shams Global," Vela said. "It is factually incorrect with omissions in material aspects, including the fundamental fact that Shah does not have a court judgment in his favour for US$1.182 million."
Vela claims Shah only disbursed US$985 000 in four batches, of which US$430 000 has already been repaid. He argued that the media reports ignored these repayments and misrepresented the provisional sentence claim as a final judgment.
"The article seeks to give the impression that the debt claimed is admitted; it fails to acknowledge that repayments have been made; and disregards the fact that Shah holds title deeds to a prime Harare CBD block of apartments, with a dual bank-accredited valuation of US$1.8 million," he said.
Vela further clarified that the High Court granted Shah the right to proceed with a provisional sentence summons, dismissing Vela's request for a referral to the Constitutional Court on the usury/induplum rule — a legal principle currently under scrutiny following the government's withholding of December 2025 loan repayments.
"The matter is still very much alive and before the courts. We are appealing to the Supreme Court for referral to the Constitutional Court," he said, stressing that the case concerns clarification of the usury/induplum rule, not an established debt judgment.
The former UK banker also expressed frustration at media handling of the issue. "The article was published without affording me the right to reply, which is standard practice in ethical journalism. Such a right would have avoided clear errors in reporting," he said.
Vela's statement comes amid growing attention on corporate debt disputes and the transparency of reporting in financial conflicts involving prominent business figures.
Vela, who served as National Social Security Authority (NSSA) chairman, said he acted as a guarantor for his company, which allegedly owes Al Shams Global money. He stressed that the matter is still before the courts, despite media reports suggesting otherwise.
"The article, touted to several journalists over the last month, is sponsored by Jayesh Shah of Al Shams Global," Vela said. "It is factually incorrect with omissions in material aspects, including the fundamental fact that Shah does not have a court judgment in his favour for US$1.182 million."
Vela claims Shah only disbursed US$985 000 in four batches, of which US$430 000 has already been repaid. He argued that the media reports ignored these repayments and misrepresented the provisional sentence claim as a final judgment.
"The article seeks to give the impression that the debt claimed is admitted; it fails to acknowledge that repayments have been made; and disregards the fact that Shah holds title deeds to a prime Harare CBD block of apartments, with a dual bank-accredited valuation of US$1.8 million," he said.
Vela further clarified that the High Court granted Shah the right to proceed with a provisional sentence summons, dismissing Vela's request for a referral to the Constitutional Court on the usury/induplum rule — a legal principle currently under scrutiny following the government's withholding of December 2025 loan repayments.
"The matter is still very much alive and before the courts. We are appealing to the Supreme Court for referral to the Constitutional Court," he said, stressing that the case concerns clarification of the usury/induplum rule, not an established debt judgment.
The former UK banker also expressed frustration at media handling of the issue. "The article was published without affording me the right to reply, which is standard practice in ethical journalism. Such a right would have avoided clear errors in reporting," he said.
Vela's statement comes amid growing attention on corporate debt disputes and the transparency of reporting in financial conflicts involving prominent business figures.
Source - The Standard
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