The former wife of Zimbabwe’s vice-president has been released from remand following the collapse of her attempted murder trial after a lengthy seven-year legal battle.
Court Ruling and Legal Battle
Marry Mubaiwa faced charges beginning in 2019 after her then-husband, General Constantino Chiwenga, accused her of attempting to block his medical treatment in South Africa. As reported by the state-owned daily the Herald, a magistrate ordered her release, noting that Mubaiwa had endured mental, physical, and financial prejudice throughout the proceedings.
The decision came after prosecutors requested a one-month postponement to secure witnesses. Outside the court in Harare on Tuesday, Mubaiwa’s defense attorney characterized the ruling as a belated victory, stating that her client’s rights had been infringed upon by the prolonged delays. The lawyer noted that the defense team would respond if the state attempted to initiate a new trial.
Background and Case History
The allegations stemmed from an incident where Mubaiwa was accused of trying to kill Chiwenga while he was hospitalized in Pretoria. Following the accusations, the vice-president traveled to China for four months of medical care, while Mubaiwa was remanded in custody and refused bail.
As reported by the New Zimbabwe news website, Mubaiwa celebrated the outcome outside the courthouse, declaring that justice had prevailed and expressing pride in her legal representation. General Chiwenga previously gained prominence in 2017 when he played a central role in the ouster of longtime President Robert Mugabe.
