Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wife, Mary Mubaiwa, has had her left leg amputated as her health continues to deteriorate, it has been established.
Mubaiwa had her leg amputated over a week ago after several counselling sessions to comfort her to allow the procedure to go ahead as it could not be saved due to gangrene.
She was diagnosed with acute lymphoedema and spontaneous formation of abscesses, which caused large open wounds on her arms and legs.
Her right arm was amputated in September 2022.
Mubaiwa’s health has been in the spotlight with the courts refusing to release her passport to be treated outside the country for her life threatening ailment.
She surrendered the travel document as part of her bail conditions over a slew of charges that she faces including attempted murder.
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She is admitted at a private hospital in the capital.
Her lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa yesterday said she was devastated when contacted for comment about Mubaiwa’s health condition.
“There is really nothing to say,” she sighed.
“It's probably one of the most traumatic cases that I have ever dealt with.
“We hope that we can find closure one day on this...”
Mubaiwa’s mother, Helga, said she was in church and could not comment.
Last year, Helga opened up on her daughter's ordeal saying she is surviving through God's grace as she goes through a very rough patch
Mubaiwa has been unwell for years.
Her health troubles have been compounded by local courts that have often insisted on her attending hearings despite clear signs of her ailment.
On some occasions, she was brought to court in an ambulance.
On one occasion, her trial was postponed after she started throwing up in the dock.
The ex-model has been unable to follow court proceedings as she would sometimes doze off in the dock during her marathon trial on different charges.
Mubaiwa is accused of trying to kill Chiwenga when the former military boss was battling for life at a South African hospital back in 2019.
It is alleged that Mubaiwa forced Chiwenga’s security to leave his hospital room so she could find space to remove some life support devices which were connected to the VP.
Mubaiwa allegedly forced Chiwenga out of bed intending to take him out of the hospital but was stopped by some hospital staff.
It is alleged she then disappeared from the hospital.
Chiwenga was later flown to China where he went through what was later described as successful treatment.
In 2022, the High Court ruled that Chiwenga, terminated his marriage to Mubaiwa in 2019 by paying a traditional token of US$100.
High Court Judge, Justice Owen Tagu, ruled that Chiwenga sent army commander Anselem Sanyatweon November 24, 2019, to hand over the money (known as gupuro in Shona) to Mubaiwa.
Last year, Chiwenga tied the knot with Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi at the St Gerard Catholic Church in Borrowdale, Harare.