She’s a former pageant queen and music video star, an elegant beauty with a love of the finer things in life. He’s a top general and leading politician who led the coup that ended Robert Mugabe’s reign.
And together they’re responsible for one of the most sensational cases to come out of Zimbabwe in a long time.
Allegations of attempted murder, money laundering and falsifying her marriage certificate have been levelled at her. Meanwhile, her much older husband has been accused of forcing her hand in divorce proceedings and using her as an example to dissident Zimbabweans: take on powerful figures at your peril.
The details emerging are nothing short of gobsmacking. Marry Mubaiwa (38) has been accused of plotting to kill her husband, General Constantino Chiwenga (63), once a top Mugabe lieutenant and now vicepresident of the povertystricken Southern African state.
Chiwenga allegedly retaliated by having his estranged wife arrested. She was taking a bath at the time of her arrest and police dragged the mother of his three children naked out of the bathroom of their palatial home in Borrowdale, the richest neighbourhood in Harare.
She was arrested last month and spent Christmas and New Year in Zimbabwe’s crumbling Chikurubi Prison. She was eventually released on bail of 50 000 Zim dollars (R1 985).
None of the accusations against her are true, says Marry, who featured in the video for Lucky Dube’s hit Put Back a Little Love. Rather, she’s the one being persecuted, she alleges.
THE drama began in July last year when Chiwenga was airlifted to Pretoria for emergency medical treatment for a constricted oesophagus.
Marry went with him. Once they arrived in South Africa, she allegedly refused to take him to hospital, and instead checked into the swanky Sheraton Hotel where they stayed overnight until Chiwenga’s staff took him to a private hospital the next day.
This story is from the 23 January 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 23 January 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you
