Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro and Nyore Madziyanike
A SOUTH AFRICAN court ruling forfeiting luxury assets belonging to Marry Mubaiwa has affirmed the principle that proceeds of crime have no sanctuary within the region.
The Gauteng Court issued a forfeiture order against luxury assets belonging to Mubaiwa, the ex-wife of Zimbabwe’s Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, marking a significant step in cross-border efforts to recover unlawfully-acquired wealth.
The assets, which include high-end vehicles and properties, were found to be linked to criminal activities, now they will be sold and the proceeds will be returned to Zimbabwe, in a victory for Zimbabwe’s jurisprudence.
The court’s decision ensures that these will now be forfeited to the State of Zimbabwe.
The judgment follows a collaborative investigation between the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe and its South African counterparts.
Advocate Lewis Uriri, representing VP Chiwenga, praised the ruling.
“The forfeiture order granted by the Gauteng High Court affirms the principle that proceeds of crime have no sanctuary within the region.”
He said the case underscores global efforts to combat illicit financial flows and recover assets acquired through unlawful means.
VP Chiwenga’s legal team noted that the Vice President had promptly reported the matter upon learning of the activities in question and had fully cooperated with authorities. “Our client remains committed to upholding the rule of law and supporting institutions tasked with safeguarding the integrity of the republic,” Adv Uriri said.
The ruling highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in ensuring accountability and justice across borders.
Mubaiwa’s mansion and two Land Rover Range vehicles are set to go under the hammer in South Africa following a forfeiture order granted in that jurisdiction.
The properties, suspected to be linked to money laundering and illicit financial flows, will be auctioned, with proceeds directed toward compensating victims of the alleged offences.
The assets include a mansion at No Erf 191 Sterrewag, Extension 3, Pretoria, and two luxury vehicles bearing registration numbers HJ40JNGP and HX61SGGP.
These were placed under a preservation order on February 9, 2022, during investigations into Mubaiwa’s alleged involvement in unlawful activities.
The court ordered the properties to be transferred into the custody of an auctioneer, marking a step towards recovering proceeds tied to financial crimes.
One of the vehicles has already been auctioned, and the proceeds are set to be transferred to the victim.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe described the case as a milestone in cross-border cooperation to address financial crimes within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Prosecutor General Loyce Matanda-Moyo said, “The decisive action by the Gauteng High Court sends a clear message that crime, particularly of a transnational nature, will not be tolerated and that illicit assets have no sanctuary within the region.”
The NPA of South Africa and its Zimbabwean counterpart collaborated on the matter, guided by international conventions such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the SADC Protocol Against Corruption.
These instruments emphasize mutual assistance in asset tracing, confiscation, and accountability.
“This forfeiture action aligns with our shared obligations under regional and international frameworks,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“We remain committed to supporting such enforcement actions and enhancing collaboration to uphold justice and accountability across borders.”
The auction is seen as part of broader efforts to ensure that criminal proceeds are confiscated and redirected towards justice, with authorities reaffirming their stance that no individual or asset linked to unlawful activities will evade scrutiny.
