Women’s organisations beg VP Chiwenga to allow Mary to see her children
By Letwin Mubonesi
A coalition of women’s rights organisations has pleaded with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to allow his ex-wife Mary Chiwenga to see the children they had sired together.
Following their separation, Mary claims that she is being denied access to her children for over 17 months now.
The women’s organisations include Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence, Female Prisoners Support Trust, Economic Justice for Women Project as well as Chitungwiza Residents Trust.
Mary has made efforts to see her children but it was all in vain as she was denied access to see them.
Mary is facing a number of charges including attempted murder, money-laundering and assault.
Her trial on all the charges has been delayed because of her health condition.
She is suffering from lymphoedema, a condition which causes swelling of hands and legs.
The organisations accused Chiwenga of using State institutions to settle their marital dispute, which they said had negative effects on the development of the couple’s children.
In a statement the organisations said, “As women’s rights organisations, we are concerned and worried at the ongoing saga involving the Vice-President Dr CGN Chiwenga and his wife, Mary Chiwenga.
“We note that private matters such as divorce should remain within the realm of private life. It is equally important that parties involved treat these issues as such. Further, we appeal to the Honourable Vice-President CGDN Chiwenga to allow Mary Chiwenga access to their children. As women, some of us being mothers, we understand the pain of being separated from our children, hence our call for the couple to find common ground where they can share in the growth of their kids.”
The women’s organisations also expressed their concerns over the courts for denying her access to her passport so she could seek medical care overseas.
“She has been arrested and arraigned before the courts and eventually granted bail after long proceedings at the High Court. If she is guilty of the offences for which she was arrested, then justice will take its course but in the meantime, she should enjoy her presumption of innocence,” said the organizations.
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