By Desmond Chingarande The marriage between vice president Constantino Chiwenga and his estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa ended in November 2019 when emissaries that were sent by Chiwenga paid a token of divorce as per the traditional custom, the High Court has ruled.
High Court judge, Justice Tagu ruled that the marriage was terminated on November 24, 2019 when Chiwenga sent his emissary, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Tanzania, Rtd Major General Anselem Sanyatwe, with US$100 as a token of divorce.
Justice Tagu said when Chiwenga filed for divorce, their union had already ended.
“The application is allowed with costs. It is declared that by the time proceedings in HC 9837/19 were instituted, the customary union between the parties had ceased to subsist. The ancillary issues relating to custody, maintenance and property rights of the parties are stood down for determination at trial, which shall be set down by the defendant as and when she is able to prosecute the matter,” Justice Tagu ruled.
Mubaiwa admitted that their marriage was irretrievably broken.
Chiwenga through his lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri, complained that the High Court was taking too long for the divorce hearing to go to trial because of Mubaiwa’s poor health.
Chiwenga asked the court to leave other matters including division of assets and child custody until her health has improved.
Mubaiwa however opposed the application, saying determining the matter separately would affect her rights and those of their three children.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The judge said it was public knowledge that Mubaiwa is sick and trial had not started because of her poor health in prejudice to Chiwenga.
He said it would be fair if the issue of property sharing and children custody will be dealt with when she gets better.
Mubaiwa is battling Lymphoedema.
Mubaiwa is facing several allegations that include money laundering, attempted murder and fraud.
