Mary Mubaiwa, the former spouse of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, recently faced a setback in her legal battle as the Harare Magistrates Court dismissed her application for a permanent stay of prosecution on medical grounds.
ZimLive has it that her attorney, Beatrice Mtetwa, expressed bewilderment at the court’s decision, stating, “It’s logic that I cannot understand.”
Earlier this month, Mubaiwa filed for a permanent stay in connection with charges of attempted murd3r, specifically for allegedly unplugging Chiwenga’s life support system during his hospitalization in South Africa.
Beatrice Mtetwa asserted that the prolonged duration and delays in the criminal proceedings had severely impacted Mubaiwa’s health, arguing that continuing with the prosecution would not serve the interests of justice.
“The applicant’s health has materially deteriorated to an extent that it would not be in the interests of justice to persist with the criminal prosecution,” her application stated.
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In response, the State requested a postponement to review the defense’s application. The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Feresi Chakanyuka, has scheduled a ruling for November 22.
During earlier court hearings, significant allegations resurfaced regarding Mubaiwa’s behavior while Chiwenga was hospitalized. Former Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. John Mangwiro, testified that the Vice President would become unconscious upon Mubaiwa’s entry to his hospital room, despite being alert before her arrival. Dr. Mangwiro reported that Chiwenga’s health deteriorated whenever he returned home, contrasting with his recovery during medical treatment abroad.
Furthermore, Dr. Mangwiro recounted troubling incidents where Mubaiwa allegedly insisted on keeping the Vice President in her private care rather than seeking necessary medical attention, even once suggesting a hotel stay over a hospital visit. “I told her it was dangerous, but she insisted the complainant wanted to rest,” he revealed.
As the case unfolds, Mary Mubaiwa’s future and the legal ramifications of her actions remain uncertain, with the court’s upcoming ruling poised to be a critical juncture in this complicated and high-profile prosecution.
