PRETORIA – The High Court of South Africa in Pretoria has ordered the forfeiture of luxury assets belonging to Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. The ruling, delivered by Justice JJ Strijdom on December 5, 2022, was only made public by Zimbabwe’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) this week.
The NPA has celebrated the judgement, highlighting its significance in the growing effort to combat cross-border financial crimes within Southern Africa. Mubaiwa, who has been battling ill-health, is currently facing a number of charges, including attempted murder and money laundering.
The South African High Court has declared that a luxury property located in Sterrewag, an affluent suburb of Pretoria (Erf 191, Extension 3), along with two high-end Land Rover Range Rovers, will be forfeited to the state. These assets were initially placed under a preservation order in February 2022, after being linked to the alleged proceeds of unlawful activities. According to the NPA, one of the vehicles has already been sold at auction, with the resulting funds “to be transferred to the victim,” though further details were not provided.
The case has garnered considerable attention due to Mubaiwa’s prominent status. Her legal troubles began in 2019, following dramatic allegations made by Vice President Chiwenga. He accused her of attempting to murder him while he was receiving intensive care at a South African hospital. The alleged incident involved the forced removal of intravenous lines, an act that shocked the nation and led to a series of criminal charges against Mubaiwa, including attempted murder, fraud, money laundering, and externalisation of funds.
The NPA has welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a “landmark demonstration of the strength and efficacy of cross-border legal cooperation” within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The authority underscored that the forfeiture aligns with international obligations under frameworks such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the SADC Protocol Against Corruption. Both agreements encourage cooperation on mutual legal assistance and the confiscation of illicit assets.
“This case reflects the enduring partnership between the NPA of South Africa and its Zimbabwean counterpart in tackling transnational crimes and recovering the proceeds of corruption,” the NPA stated.
The Zimbabwean authority praised South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) for its “professional and principled” approach, noting that the Gauteng High Court’s decisive ruling sends a powerful regional message: “Illicit wealth will find no sanctuary.”
Mubaiwa’s legal troubles continue, as she remains a key figure in several ongoing cases which have been stalled by illness. Her dramatic fall from grace—from a businesswoman and high-society figure to a defendant in multiple court proceedings—has become a potent symbol of Zimbabwe’s long-running battle with elite corruption.
The announcement comes as the NPA marks its 10th anniversary, vowing to redouble its efforts in fighting organised crime and corruption both at home and across borders.
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