‘Vice President’s wife attempted to kill her husband’

‘Vice President’s wife attempted to kill her husband’

‘Vice President’s wife attempted to kill her husband’

The estranged wife of Zimbabwean vice-president, Gen Constantino Chiwenga, has been charged with attempting to kill him. Marry Mubaiwa, who is already accused of corruption, appeared in court in Harare on Monday.

It is alleged she tried to kill Gen  Chiwenga while he was receiving medical treatment in South Africa.

Gen Chiwenga played a key role in overthrowing former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.

The general alleges that Ms Mubaiwa tried to prevent him from getting medical treatment in South Africa six months ago. When he was admitted to hospital in Pretoria, it is alleged she pulled an intravenous drip out of his arm.

Gen Chiwenga then went to China for four months of treatment, returning last month.

Ms Mubaiwa was remanded in custody with bail denied. No plea was entered, local media reported.

When she was arrested on Saturday, police said Ms Mubaiwa was accused of fraud and money laundering charges totalling about $1m (£750,000).

BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding says the case fits the pattern of a country where the elites accuse each other of assassination plots and poisonings and where the police and courts are often used to settle scores.

Zimbabwe is currently still gripped by hyperinflation, power shortages and mass hunger. (BBC)