Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, has spoken out about her marriage, describing it as a painful experience. In an interview with ZimEye editor Simba Chikanza, Mubaiwa alleged that Chiwenga arranged for her to be injected with pethidine for years, which she claims damaged her physical and mental health. She linked the drug use to her medical problems, including the amputation of her right arm and left leg. Mubaiwa's claims have not been independently verified.
Mubaiwa alleged that Chiwenga would inject himself with pethidine and instruct a military nurse to give her the same drug. She claimed that he did not want to sleep while she remained awake, and that the injections continued for years until she became pregnant. Mubaiwa expressed her hurt, saying "Chiwenga destroyed my mental health, my health and this is a man I took care of." She also rejected any suggestion that she had married Chiwenga for money, stating that she had owned cars and enjoyed a comfortable life before they met.
The couple married customarily in 2011 and had three children together. Mubaiwa, who has two children from an earlier marriage, said she had gone seven years without seeing or speaking to the children she shares with Chiwenga. She expressed her desire to be reunited with them and regain access to her home and cars. Mubaiwa asked, "If I were to take those children and deny you access for seven years, how would you feel?"
Mubaiwa's interview came a day after a Harare magistrate removed her from remand in the attempted-murder case involving Chiwenga. She had faced the charge for nearly seven years over allegations that she interfered with his medical treatment at a South African hospital in 2019. Mubaiwa has consistently denied trying to kill him. The magistrate refused a State request to postpone proceedings, citing the prejudice Mubaiwa had suffered during the lengthy case.
The ruling ended the existing remand proceedings, but did not amount to a finding on the truth of the allegations. The State may still pursue the matter through fresh summons. Mubaiwa said she laughed when her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, first told her she was facing a murder charge because she did not believe the accusation. She also accused Chiwenga of lying about her and said the court case had prolonged the damage caused by their separation.
Mubaiwa also spoke about Chiwenga's political ambitions, warning that Zimbabwe would be in trouble if he became president. Chiwenga is one of the country's most senior political figures and has been discussed as a possible successor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mubaiwa's account presents her version of a bitter personal and legal dispute. Her claims about pethidine, its effects on her health, and Chiwenga's role in the alleged drug use remain allegations.
The interview did not provide independent medical evidence establishing a link between the pethidine use and Mubaiwa's health problems. Mubaiwa's allegations against Chiwenga have not been independently verified, and the former couple's dispute has been marked by bitter recriminations. As a prominent public figure, Chiwenga has not publicly responded to Mubaiwa's claims. The Zimbabwean public will be watching closely as this drama unfolds.
Key points
- Marry Mubaiwa alleges that her marriage to VP Chiwenga was marked by years of pethidine injections that damaged her health.
- Mubaiwa claims that she has not seen her children in seven years and wants to be reunited with them.
- The court case against Mubaiwa has been ongoing for nearly seven years, and she has consistently denied the allegations of attempted murder.
