Zimbabwe: vice-president’s wife charged with his attempted murder

Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Zimbabwean vice-president Constantino Chiwenga, has been charged with his attempted murder.

Ms Mubaiwa appeared in court in Harare on Monday. She already faces accusations of corruption and has denied all charges. 

Prosecutors allege that she tried to kill Gen. Chiwenga while he was receiving medical treatment in South Africa six months ago. The general has accused Ms Mubaiwa of trying to prevent him from getting this treatment and of removing an intravenous drip from his arm once he had been admitted to hospital in Pretoria. 

Gen. Chiwenga returned to Zimbabwe last month, after a further four months of treatment in China. 

Ms. Mubaiwa was arrested on Saturday accused of fraud and money laundering charges totalling around US$1 million. She was remanded in custody without the possibility of bail. 

Vice-President Chiwenga played a vital role in overthrowing former President Robert Mugabe in 2017. The country still remains gripped by hyperinflation, power shortages and mass hunger. 

Photo credit: Harare Live