THE Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday committed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry, pictured, to have her mental health examined while in custody at Harare Central Prison.
Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube ruled that the former model, who is facing several charges, including attempting to kill Chiwenga, money laundering and assaulting her children’s minder, will spend the next 10 days at the prison hospital where she would be examined by two doctors.
The purpose of the medical examinations would be to ascertain if Marry is mentally fit to stand trial after her lawyer argued that she is currently taking strong medication which makes it impossible for her to follow court proceedings attentively.
On Monday, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals head of psychiatric department, Fungasai Mazhandu testified before the court that Marry is suffering from depression and anxiety.
Mazhandu said the mental health challenges are a result of Marry’s separation from her children and the strong medication she is currently taking.
Prosecutor Michael Reza then applied to have Marry examined by another doctor and urged the court to proceed in terms of the Mental Health Act, which places a person in custody to be examined by the government appointed medical experts.
Ncube ruled in favour of the prosecution and ordered Marry to be committed for the next 10 days in prison while undergoing assessments with the case now set to continue on November 26.
“The court will direct that two medical practitioners should examine the accused and enquire into her mental state.
“For the purposes of that medical examination, the accused shall be in the custody of the officer in charge Harare Remand Prison,” magistrate Ncube said.
“So, as it stands, it is not in dispute that the psychiatrist’s findings are that the accused has a mental disorder and cannot stand trial.
“During cross examination, the doctor indicated that this mental disorder was as a result of the separation of the accused from her children and illness.
“As indicated earlier on, this matter was due for trial, but it could not proceed as it was indicated that the accused was not mentally fit to stand trial.
“A report by a psychiatrist, who also testified, indicated that the accused has a mental disorder. The trial cannot, therefore, at this stage commence or proceed in light of the evidence that this court has been furnished with that the accused has a mental disorder. This matter will, therefore, be postponed.”
This comes after Mazhandu told the court that she examined Marry and concluded that she is not mentally fit to stand trial.
The psychiatrist expert also noted that Marry is taking medicines that are affecting her cognitive state which has a bearing on her ability to think and process things.
“She has a mental disorder and she cannot follow proceedings. The depressive disorder is caused by various things, among them separation from her children and physical illness,” Mazhandu said.
Mazhandu said when she examined Marry, she was having difficulties in concentrating and staying attentive.
“These symptoms I felt do not allow her to fully follow and participate in court proceedings,” she said.
Following Mazhandu’s testimony, Marry’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa then made an application for the court to release her passport so that she can access specialist treatment in South Africa.
