High Court tightens Mubaiwa bail conditions

Harare(New Ziana) – The High Court on Wednesday ordered Marry Mubaiwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, to surrender her second passport, in a review of her bail conditions for several cases she is facing.

She was granted bail last month by the High Court in three cases – alleged attempted murder of her husband, money laundering and fraud.

As part of the bail conditions, Mubaiwa was ordered to pay $50 000, surrender her passport and lodge title deeds as surety.

She was also ordered to reside at the couple’s Borrowdale matrimonial home.

But on Wednesday High Court Judge Pisirai Kwenda varied the conditions, and ordered Mubaiwa to also surrender her second passport, and live at her mother’s home instead, and not the Borrowdale matrimonial house.

“The respondent’s husband, who is the complainant in the attempted murder case, is living at the matrimonial home. I only became aware of that through this application. I would not have allowed a situation where the parties live under the same roof and expect them to peacefully co-exist under one roof especially considering that there is a pending attempted murder charge against the respondent,” he ruled.

“I therefore find that it is in the interest of justice to vary the accused person’s residence on the two bail orders under the circumstances.”

“The variation will, therefore apply to both bail orders as follows: by the insertion of paragraph 5 (a) in terms of which she respondent shall surrender the second passport. She shall reside at 64 Folyjon Crescent Glen Lorne Harare,” Justice Kwenda ordered.

But the order will have limited, if any, effect as Mubaiwa is in remand prison over a separate crime she is alleged to have committed while on bail.

She was thrown in prison at the weekend after being accused of assaulting a family maid in a row over custody of her minor children.

New Ziana