Mary Mubaiwa’s Attempted Murder Trial To Start Afresh After 7-Year Delay

Mary Mubaiwa’s attempted murder trial is set to restart after the magistrate presiding over the case was promoted to the High Court, raising fresh concerns about how long the former wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will wait for the proceedings to conclude.

The development emerged at the Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 22 October 2026. The trial had reached an advanced stage, with Chiwenga expected to testify after his personal doctor, former Deputy Health Minister John Mangwiro, completed his evidence.

Mubaiwa, who has been on remand for seven years, is now seeking to have the charges dropped, arguing that the State has repeatedly delayed the case.

Mary Mubaiwa Seeks To Have Charges Dropped

Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, argued that the proceedings had dragged on for seven years without a conclusion. She blamed repeated postponements and urged the court to refuse further remand.

However, prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that the prosecution was preparing for a fresh trial. This includes locating witnesses and reissuing summons.

The previous presiding magistrate, Feresi Chakanyuka, was elevated to the High Court bench, necessitating the restart.

Regional magistrate Musaiona Shotgame postponed the matter to Thursday, 23 October 2026, for a ruling on Mubaiwa’s application.

Doctor’s Testimony At Centre Of Attempted Murder Case

During the earlier proceedings, Mangwiro described an alleged incident at a South African hospital in July 2019, when Chiwenga was receiving treatment.

He told the court that he heard the Vice President screaming after Mubaiwa allegedly pulled out an intravenous tube inserted into his chest. Mangwiro said medical personnel intervened before the situation deteriorated.

Describing Mubaiwa’s influence during the hospitalisation, he told the court:

“There was nothing we could do, the accused was a very powerful woman at that time. She would decide what to do next.”

Mtetwa challenged the account, questioning the absence of the alleged incident from recorded hospital statements and raising concerns about missing forensic results relating to blood allegedly found on Chiwenga’s T-shirt.

The defence also accused Mangwiro of fabricating evidence, which he disputed.

Chiwenga Was Expected To Testify

The prosecution had indicated that Chiwenga would take the witness stand after Mangwiro concluded his testimony. The change in magistrate has disrupted that progress.

Mubaiwa has also undergone the amputation of an arm and a leg during the lengthy legal proceedings.

The court’s ruling on her application for refusal of further remand could determine whether the prosecution gets another opportunity to proceed with the case or faces a challenge to continuing the proceedings.