Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 183
- 97
A Zimbabwean court has denied bail to three women linked to the country’s First Family who are facing drug-related charges.
The three – Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, and their relative Noreen Jessub, 51 – will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 3 September.
The case has attracted attention because the accused are related to Kelsea Tafirenyika, who is married to Collin Mnangagwa, the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The women were arrested at a lodge in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, on Wednesday.
Bulawayo magistrate Taurai Manuwere said the prosecution had presented a strong case against them.
He cited the alleged recovery of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and more than $53,000 (£40,000) in cash from rooms occupied by the accused.
“The State has a strong case against the accused persons,” Mr Manuwere said.
According to prosecutors, two sachets of cocaine worth ZiG9,000 were allegedly found hidden inside a shoe in Ms Jessub’s room.
Two more sachets of cocaine were allegedly recovered from Ms Arab’s room.
Police also allegedly found a sachet of crystal methamphetamine, another sachet of cocaine and US$53,055 in Ms Tafirenyika’s room, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.
The prosecution argued that the women were flight risks, pointing to their valid passports, access to significant amounts of money and the fact that they were not permanent residents of Bulawayo.
The magistrate agreed, saying the seriousness of the alleged offences and the possibility of a prison sentence could encourage the accused to flee.
The defence opposed the State’s arguments and asked the court to grant bail.
Lawyer Brezhnev Mathonsi said the accused were suitable candidates for bail, noting that police already had their passports and that most of the evidence had been collected.
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the search, arguing that the involvement of several security agencies raised the possibility that the drugs could have been planted.
The defence reminded the court that the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Mr Mathonsi also asked that Ms Arab be medically examined over injuries she allegedly sustained during an assault.
Meanwhile, Kelsea Tafirenyika, who is married to President Mnangagwa’s son, was arrested earlier this month on separate drug-related charges.
She was later released on bail but was re-arrested on fresh money-laundering allegations.
Prosecutors accuse her of acquiring luxury vehicles and properties worth about US$10m using proceeds allegedly linked to drug dealing.
A Toyota Land Cruiser was also reportedly seized from Ms Arab earlier this month.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The accused remain presumed innocent unless convicted.
The three – Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, and their relative Noreen Jessub, 51 – will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 3 September.
The case has attracted attention because the accused are related to Kelsea Tafirenyika, who is married to Collin Mnangagwa, the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The women were arrested at a lodge in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, on Wednesday.
Bulawayo magistrate Taurai Manuwere said the prosecution had presented a strong case against them.
He cited the alleged recovery of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and more than $53,000 (£40,000) in cash from rooms occupied by the accused.
“The State has a strong case against the accused persons,” Mr Manuwere said.
According to prosecutors, two sachets of cocaine worth ZiG9,000 were allegedly found hidden inside a shoe in Ms Jessub’s room.
Two more sachets of cocaine were allegedly recovered from Ms Arab’s room.
Police also allegedly found a sachet of crystal methamphetamine, another sachet of cocaine and US$53,055 in Ms Tafirenyika’s room, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.
The prosecution argued that the women were flight risks, pointing to their valid passports, access to significant amounts of money and the fact that they were not permanent residents of Bulawayo.
The magistrate agreed, saying the seriousness of the alleged offences and the possibility of a prison sentence could encourage the accused to flee.
The defence opposed the State’s arguments and asked the court to grant bail.
Lawyer Brezhnev Mathonsi said the accused were suitable candidates for bail, noting that police already had their passports and that most of the evidence had been collected.
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the search, arguing that the involvement of several security agencies raised the possibility that the drugs could have been planted.
The defence reminded the court that the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Mr Mathonsi also asked that Ms Arab be medically examined over injuries she allegedly sustained during an assault.
Meanwhile, Kelsea Tafirenyika, who is married to President Mnangagwa’s son, was arrested earlier this month on separate drug-related charges.
She was later released on bail but was re-arrested on fresh money-laundering allegations.
Prosecutors accuse her of acquiring luxury vehicles and properties worth about US$10m using proceeds allegedly linked to drug dealing.
A Toyota Land Cruiser was also reportedly seized from Ms Arab earlier this month.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The accused remain presumed innocent unless convicted.