Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Zimbabwean Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, has been freed from further remand after spending seven years facing an attempted murder charge in a case that has been dogged by prolonged delays.
A Harare magistrate, Musaiona Shotgame, ruled on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, against the prosecution’s request to postpone the proceedings, which would have allowed the State more time to secure witnesses.
According to Zimbabwe’s state-owned newspaper, The Herald, the magistrate said the prolonged case had subjected Mubaiwa to mental, physical and financial prejudice.
Mubaiwa was charged in 2019 after Chiwenga, then her husband, accused her of attempting to interfere with his medical treatment while he was hospitalised in Pretoria, South Africa.
The prosecution alleged that Mubaiwa attempted to kill Chiwenga by interfering with his life-support treatment. His personal doctor, John Mangwiro, previously testified that she allegedly pulled out an intravenous tube inserted into Chiwenga’s chest. Mubaiwa’s defence challenged aspects of the testimony.
The case had reached an advanced stage, with Chiwenga expected to testify, before the presiding magistrate, Feresi Chakanyuka, was elevated to the High Court. The development threatened to force the trial to start afresh, further extending the proceedings.
The State had sought an additional postponement to locate witnesses and prepare for the fresh proceedings, but Shotgame declined the request, bringing a significant turn in the long-running case.
Speaking outside court, Mubaiwa celebrated the ruling and praised her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, for her work throughout the legal battle.
Mtetwa welcomed the decision but described it as a belated victory, arguing that the seven-year delay had violated her client’s rights and raised concerns about equality before the law.
The latest ruling frees Mubaiwa from further remand in the attempted murder case. However, reports indicate that the State could still consider its legal options.
The case has drawn attention to delays in Zimbabwe’s justice system and the consequences of prolonged criminal proceedings for accused persons awaiting the conclusion of their cases.
