Harare Regional Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa has refused bail to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law, Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, and her uncle, Isaac Jessub, saying their release could pose a threat to public safety.
Tafirenyika, 22, who is married to Mnangagwa’s twin son Collins, and Jessub will remain in custody pending trial over allegations involving dangerous drugs.
According to the State, police allegedly recovered pethidine, morphine and cannabis during searches at Tafirenyika’s Greystone Park residence and vehicle.
Jessub was separately arrested after police allegedly found morphine and pethidine in a Mercedes-Benz.
Gofa rejected the bail applications, saying the allegations against the two warranted their continued detention in the interests of protecting the public.
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“The society should be protected by keeping the accused persons locked,” the magistrate ruled.
The court also expressed concern over allegations that Tafirenyika was in possession of two identity documents, one reportedly bearing the name Getrude Badza.
Gofa said the alleged use of another identity document raised questions about whether Tafirenyika would remain available to face trial.
“There is a prima facie evidence of identity documents of Kelsea Tafirenyika, as she uses another document in the name of Getrude Badza. This indicates she is a flight risk,” Gofa said.
The magistrate further found that the proposed bail conditions would not sufficiently address the risk of absconding or the possibility of the accused allegedly committing further offences.
The case was postponed to August 27, when Tafirenyika and Jessub are expected to appear in court again.
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