Marry Mubaiwa released after seven years on remand as trial stalls
Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Zimbabwe’s vice-president, has been freed from remand after seven years as her attempted murder trial stalled. A magistrate cited the mental, physical and financial harm she had suffered during the prolonged proceedings.
Mubaiwa was charged in 2019 after Constantino Chiwenga accused her of interfering with his medical treatment in South Africa while he was hospitalised in Pretoria. The release followed the state’s request to postpone the trial by a month to contact witnesses; her lawyer said the delay had violated Mubaiwa’s rights and that any move for a new trial would be addressed if it arose.
In short
- Marry Mubaiwa was freed from remand after seven years.
- Her attempted murder trial stalled after a request for a postponement.
- Her lawyer said the lengthy delay had violated her rights.
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The case for
The state could argue that allegations of interfering with a patient’s medical treatment are serious and should be tested in court, with time to contact witnesses if needed. Releasing Mubaiwa from remand does not prevent the trial from proceeding, and a postponement may help ensure the case is heard on proper evidence.
The case against
Keeping Mubaiwa on remand for seven years while the trial repeatedly stalls risks imposing severe punishment before guilt is established. Her prolonged detention has caused mental, physical and financial harm, and the state’s request for further delay strengthens the case that her rights and the fairness of the proceedings require release.
Explained simply
Marry Mubaiwa is a Zimbabwean businesswoman and the former wife of Constantino Chiwenga, Zimbabwe’s vice-president and a former army chief. Their relationship became the focus of criminal proceedings after Chiwenga was hospitalised in South Africa.
In 2019, prosecutors charged Mubaiwa with attempted murder, alleging she interfered with Chiwenga’s medical treatment in Pretoria. She has denied the charge. The case has faced repeated delays, keeping her on remand while the court process continued; remand means being held in custody before a trial has concluded.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Ex-wife of Zimbabwe’s vice-president freed after collapse of attempted murder case”.