Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Zimbabwe’s Vice-President General (Retired) Constantino Chiwenga, has lost ownership of a high-end residential property and two luxury vehicles in South Africa, following a court ruling that deemed the assets to be proceeds of crime linked to money laundering and illicit financial flows.
In a significant judgment handed down by the Gauteng High Court under Case No. 6435/22, the court issued a forfeiture order on December 5, 2022, authorising the confiscation of Marry Mubaiwa’s assets and their transfer to the South African state. The properties include a luxury home situated at Erf 191 Sterrewag, Extension 3 in Pretoria, and two Land Rover Range Rovers registered under HJ40JNGP and HX615GGP.
These assets had earlier been subjected to a preservation order on February 9, 2022, following investigative findings that linked them to unlawful financial activities. Authorities believe the wealth used to acquire the property and vehicles originated from criminal activities, primarily involving money laundering schemes across borders.
As part of the ruling, the court directed that the assets be placed under the management of an appointed auctioneer. The proceeds from their eventual sale are to be used to compensate victims of the criminal conduct. One of the Range Rovers has already gone under the hammer, with its sale proceeds set aside for restitution purposes.
In response to the court’s decision, Zimbabwe’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPAZ) welcomed the outcome, describing it as a milestone in the fight against transnational organised crime. The agency said the ruling underscored the growing success of cross-border cooperation in addressing financial crimes and recovering stolen assets.
Marry Mubaiwa Loses Pretoria Mansion and Luxury Cars in Cross-Border Crime Crackdown
“The decisive action taken by the Gauteng High Court sends a powerful message that transnational criminal enterprises will not find safe haven within the region,” the NPAZ said in a statement. “This ruling reinforces the importance of collaboration in tackling the scourge of illicit financial flows, which continue to undermine national economies and erode public trust.”
The forfeiture order is being celebrated as a benchmark case in regional asset recovery and law enforcement cooperation. Officials from both Zimbabwe and South Africa cited the case as a successful example of joint efforts under various international and regional legal instruments. These include the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and the SADC Protocol Against Corruption, all of which mandate states to pursue illicit assets, provide mutual legal assistance, and enforce asset confiscation orders.
The NPAZ particularly commended the work of South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for its professionalism and dedication throughout the process. “We express our sincere appreciation to the South African authorities, especially the Asset Forfeiture Unit, for their commitment to ensuring justice is served and for their cooperation in implementing mutual legal assistance mechanisms,” read the NPAZ statement.
The Zimbabwean prosecuting authority also reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships across borders and pledged to continue tracing and recovering assets acquired through criminal means.
“We remain resolute in our pursuit of justice and accountability,” the NPAZ added. “This is not just about one case or one individual—it’s about dismantling networks of corruption that span multiple jurisdictions and restoring integrity to our institutions.”
The forfeiture ruling comes at a time when Marry Mubaiwa is already embroiled in a number of legal battles in Zimbabwe.Marry Mubaiwa faces charges that include attempted murder, money laundering, fraud, and misrepresentation. The High Court decision in South Africa deals a significant blow to her estate and further compounds the legal challenges Marry Mubaiwa faces.
Marry Mubaiwa, a former model and businesswoman, was once at the centre of Zimbabwe’s political and social elite, but her fall from grace has been swift and dramatic. The latest ruling not only strips her of multimillion-rand assets but also symbolises a broader push within the region to clamp down on elite corruption and illicit wealth accumulation.
With growing pressure on governments across Southern Africa to root out financial crimes and ensure transparency in public office, the ruling marks a step forward in efforts to end impunity for economic crimes that have historically gone unpunished.
As governments bolster their capacity to trace and seize criminal assets, authorities have warned that the net is closing in on individuals who have used public office or political connections to enrich themselves unlawfully. The forfeiture of Marry Mubaiwa’s South African assets is expected to embolden further investigations and prosecutions across the region.
Source- Bulawayo24
