Own Correspondent|State run The Herald newspaper has sensationally claimed that exiled G40 kingpins are bankrolling Marry Chiwenga’s legal costs for political expediency.

The publication claims that the unnamed G40 members are funding Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry in order for her to reveal a sustained smear campaign against the Presidium.

Marry Chiwenga is in remand prison until December 30 on charges of attempted murder, fraud, and currency externalisation.

According to the publication, the G40 leader in question is in South Africa giving a hint that the person referred to is Saviour Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere is alleged to have instructed Marry to defame and politically smear President Mnangagwa and VP Chiwenga when trial begins.

“The G40 leader told Marry to falsely allege that the US$1 million she allegedly laundered was in VP Chiwenga’s house. She has also been coached to allege that the money she is alleged to have stolen was just small change,” the paper claims an unknown source to have indicated.

The source also revealed that there had been regular telephone contact between the G40 leader and Mubaiwa, an interaction that raised suspicion that the latter could have been spying on her husband on behalf of the G40 over the years.

Marry’s legal representative, Mr Taona Nyamakura of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners denied the allegations.

‘‘I’m not aware of those allegations. As lawyers, we are doing our job professionally in a manner that protects the interest of our client and the administration of justice,’’ he said.