Mnangagwa’s in-laws denied bail

Bulawayo magistrate Taurai Manuwere has dismissed the bail application for Collins Mnangagwa’s three in-laws.

Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, aged 47, the mother of Collins’ second wife Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, aged 28, and their relative Noreen Jessub, aged 51, were arraigned on Monday, 24 August 2026.

The magistrate postponed the matter to 3 September 2026.

Manuwere ruled that the State had a strong case against the three. This was after drugs and a large amount of money were allegedly recovered from their rooms at a local lodge.

“The State has a strong case against the accused persons. Although the defence argues that the case is weak, the court takes into consideration that the alleged drugs and huge amount of money were recovered from the belongings of the accused persons, in the bedrooms that they were occupying,” Manuwere said.

The magistrate also said the serious nature of the alleged offences and the chance of a jail term could make the accused abscond.

“Cocaine and Crystal meth are serious drugs and in the event that there is a conviction, there could be a possible custodial sentence. Such a possibility or likelihood can influence absconding,” he said.

The magistrate added that the three women do not live permanently in Bulawayo. He said they have valid passports and access to large amounts of money, which could help them flee the city or the country.

The three were arrested last Wednesday at a lodge in the Ilanda suburb in Bulawayo.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, police searched their rooms and allegedly found two sachets of cocaine worth ZiG9,000 in Jessub’s room. The drugs were allegedly hidden inside a shoe.

In Arab’s room, two sachets of cocaine were allegedly found, hidden in a small bag.

In Tafirenyika’s room, police allegedly found a sachet of crystal meth, another sachet of cocaine and US$53,055 in cash, the NPA said.

The prosecution opposed bail. It said the evidence against the three was “overwhelming” and that they were a flight risk. It also said the cash could be proceeds of crime as it could not be accounted for.

The State, represented by Nkanyezi Xaba, argued that it had direct evidence linking the three to the alleged offences.

He said they were likely to abscond or evade trial. He also alleged that the family was involved in a criminal enterprise.

Defence lawyer Brezhnev Mathonsi argued that the three were suitable candidates for bail. He said the State already has all their passports, and there are no witnesses who could be interfered with because the State has already collected all its evidence at the scene.

He challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing that several security agencies were involved in searching the scene. He said this raised the possibility that the drugs could have been planted to incriminate the women.

Mathonsi also asked the court to make sure Amina gets a medical examination for injuries she allegedly sustained during an assault, and for the report to be added to the case file.

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