KEY POINTS
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Marry Mubaiwa was released from remand after seven years facing an attempted murder charge.
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Her lawyer criticised the prolonged trial, citing violations of her rights.
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The release does not automatically rule out further legal proceedings.
Zimbabwean authorities have released Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, from remand after she spent seven years facing an attempted murder charge.
Mubaiwa was charged in 2019 after Chiwenga accused her of trying to obstruct his medical treatment in South Africa. The case had remained unresolved for years, with the former vice-president’s wife previously denied bail and kept on remand.
A magistrate ordered her release after the state requested a one-month postponement of the trial to engage witnesses, according to the state-owned newspaper The Herald.
The magistrate reportedly found that Mubaiwa had suffered mental, physical and financial prejudice during the prolonged proceedings.
Lawyer criticises lengthy court proceedings
Mubaiwa’s lawyer described the ruling as a victory that had come too late, arguing that the delay had violated her client’s rights.
Speaking outside the court in Harare on Tuesday, the lawyer said the defence would respond if the state decided to pursue a new trial.
The release marks a significant development in a case that has kept Mubaiwa under legal pressure since 2019. However, her release from remand does not necessarily mean the allegations have been dismissed permanently or that the case cannot be reopened.
Case linked to Chiwenga’s medical treatment
Mubaiwa was accused of attempting to kill Chiwenga while he was receiving treatment in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
The allegations arose during a period when Chiwenga was seriously ill and later travelled to China for four months of medical treatment.
Mubaiwa denied the allegations and remained involved in the lengthy legal proceedings.
According to the New Zimbabwe news website, she celebrated outside the court after her release, saying justice had been achieved and expressing pride in her lawyer.
Chiwenga’s political history
Chiwenga, a former army general, played a central role in the 2017 military intervention that led to the removal of then-President Robert Mugabe, who had ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades.
The political upheaval paved the way for Mugabe’s resignation and the subsequent rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency.
Chiwenga later became Zimbabwe’s vice-president.
Mubaiwa’s release has drawn attention to the lengthy proceedings and their reported personal consequences. The next development will depend partly on whether prosecutors decide to continue pursuing the case.
