Full Breakdown
Marry Mubaiwa Acquitted After Seven-Year Attempted-Murder Trial
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In this breakdown
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Acquittal of Marry Mubaiwa After Seven-Year Trial
A Harare magistrate released Marry Mubaiwa from remand on 27 October 2026, acquitting her of the attempted-murder charge against former Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. The magistrate ruled that the protracted proceedings had prejudiced Mubaiwa’s mental, physical and financial rights, and rejected the state’s request to postpone the trial further.
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Background of the Attempted-Murder Charge
Mubaiwa was first charged in 2019 after Chiwenga alleged she tried to impede his medical treatment while he was hospitalized in Pretoria, South Africa. The accusation stemmed from an incident in July 2019 in which Chiwenga claimed Mubaiwa attempted to kill him. Chiwenga, who later travelled to China for four months of treatment, had previously played a key role in the 2017 overthrow of President Robert Mugabe.
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Court Decision and Legal Reasoning
Regional Magistrate Musaiona Shortgame found that the case had “dragged on for too long,” noting that the unreasonable delay violated Mubaiwa’s rights. The state had sought to defer the hearing to 25 November to engage witnesses, but the magistrate denied the request, emphasizing that further postponement would exacerbate prejudice against the defendant.
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Reactions and Ongoing Legal Issues
Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, who represented Mubaiwa, hailed the ruling as a long-overdue victory. Mubaiwa, who lost her marriage, access to her children, an arm and a leg, and significant assets during the seven-year legal battle, said she was proud of her counsel. She still faces separate charges of money laundering and exchange-control violations.
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Verbatim Quote
- “We won. Ms B has done a lot of work. She’s done very well. It’s been unfair, but today we got justice. I’m so proud of her.” — ZimLive