Xolisani Ncube
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on Saturday is reported to have picked up Marry Chiwenga, the embattled wife to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga for questioning on allegations of money laundering, fraud and misrepresentation.
Marry, according to sources, was picked up for questioning by ZACC investigators on suspicion that she abused her proximity to the Vice President, her husband, and siphoned money out of Zimbabwe unnoticed, part of which she used to purchase a house in South Africa.
It is alleged that she externalised US$1 million to China and South Africa.
“She moved a lot of money abusing her diplomatic passport as well as the fact that she was accorded a VIP status whenever she traveled abroad. Part of the money was allegedly being siphoned in the name of the VP and this came to light when the VP returned to work,” said a source within ZACC.
Since his return from China, where he had undergone medical treatment, the VP has snubbed the family home in the Borrowdale and has since moved to a new house.
Sources said the VP has made it known to Marry that he wants out of the marriage and he had initiated a process to terminate the marriage through his lawyers, Manase & Manase.
Impeccable sources say that Marry was, early evening, negotiating to be allowed to go home and that she would avail herself to the police on Monday morning for her initial court appearance. ZACC investigators wanted her locked up at Rhodesville Police Station and that she spends the night in custody. The VP, according to sources was not interested in intervening and wanted the police to “do their work”.
The reason for the fallout, according to sources, is that Marry was suspected to be working with political foes amid poisoning claims which saw the VP go through an operation to clear part of his oesophagus which was blocked. Marry is also said to have pushed the VP to write a will while he was seriously ill at a hospital in South Africa.
Sources said Marry was so desperate that she even organised a marriage between the ailing VP and herself amid suspicion that the VP has a second wife. The status of their marriage, which was allegedly solemnized by Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi remains questionable amid allegations that it was not registered and the whole process was bogus.
She also faces a probe on allegations of forging a signature of her ex-husband, Shingi Kawondera to facilitate the end of their marriage. Kawondera alleges that their union was terminated illegally and wants USD$700 000 as compensation.
Marry has declared that she would defend the challenge from Kawondera.
Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi said he was unaware of the arrest of the embattled wife of the VP.
“I am not aware of that. Check with ZACC,” Nyathi said. Zacc spokesperson John Makamure did not pick up his phone when reached for a comment but the Anchor is reliably informed that she is detained under ZACC REF RR98/11/19.
Marry is likely to appear in court on Monday.
