Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Zimbabwean Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, has been released from remand after spending seven years facing an attempted murder charge linked to allegations that she tried to kill her then-husband while he was receiving medical treatment in South Africa.
The decision to remove Mubaiwa from further remand followed prolonged delays in the case, which began in 2019. According to the BBC, the proceedings have dragged on for years without reaching a final determination of the attempted murder allegations.
The latest development marks a major turn in one of Zimbabwe’s most closely watched legal cases, which has drawn attention to the bitter breakdown of a marriage involving one of the country’s most powerful political figures.
Mubaiwa, a former model, was accused of attempting to disconnect medical equipment supporting Chiwenga’s life while he was hospitalised in South Africa. At the time, Chiwenga was Zimbabwe’s military chief and had played a leading role in the 2017 military intervention that led to the removal of long-serving president Robert Mugabe.
Chiwenga later became vice-president under President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mubaiwa has denied the allegations against her.
The court’s decision to release her from further remand came amid concerns about the impact of the lengthy proceedings on her mental, physical and financial well-being. The case has remained unresolved for years, leaving Mubaiwa in legal uncertainty while her health deteriorated.
The prosecution had sought more time to continue the proceedings, but the magistrate rejected a request for another postponement. The case had been scheduled for further proceedings, but the court’s decision means the existing process will not continue in its previous form.
The state could still pursue the matter through fresh summons, meaning the release does not necessarily amount to a declaration of innocence or a final ruling on the allegations.
Mubaiwa’s ordeal has also been marked by serious health problems. She has suffered from severe lymphoedema, a condition that causes swelling when fluid builds up in body tissues. Reports about her condition have highlighted the difficulties she has faced while seeking medical attention during her prolonged legal troubles.
Her case has attracted widespread sympathy and criticism, particularly among those who have questioned the length of time she spent on remand before the charges were resolved. The allegations against her remain accusations, and the case has not produced a final judicial finding establishing that she attempted to kill Chiwenga.
The collapse of their marriage has also played out through a bitter legal dispute over divorce, property and access to their children. Chiwenga went on to remarry, while Mubaiwa continued to face criminal proceedings and health challenges.
Her release has therefore brought relief from one aspect of a long-running legal battle, although questions remain about her health, family life and whether prosecutors will seek to revive the case.
