A magistrate orders the release of Zimbabwe’s vice-president’s former wife after prosecutors seek another month to engage witnesses.
Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Zimbabwe’s vice-president, has been freed after seven years on remand. She had faced trial on a charge of attempting to murder her then husband, General Constantino Chiwenga.
A magistrate ordered her release after the state requested another month to engage witnesses. In the ruling, the magistrate said the lengthy proceedings had caused Mubaiwa mental, physical and financial harm.
Marry Mubaiwa’s lawyer criticises trial delays
Speaking outside court in Harare on Tuesday, her lawyer described the decision as a victory that came too late. She said the delays had already violated her client’s rights.
However, the lawyer also addressed the possibility of prosecutors pursuing a fresh trial. She said the defence would respond if the state took that step.
The release ends Mubaiwa’s remand in the case, but the lawyer’s comments left open the possibility of further proceedings.
Charge stemmed from hospital treatment
The case began in 2019, when Chiwenga accused his then wife of trying to obstruct his treatment in South Africa. Prosecutors alleged that she attempted to kill him while he was in hospital in Pretoria.
Chiwenga later travelled to China, where he spent four months receiving treatment. Meanwhile, Mubaiwa remained in custody after the court denied her bail.
The allegation concerned a senior figure in Zimbabwe’s political leadership. Chiwenga played a key role in the 2017 overthrow of then President Robert Mugabe.
