Court issues and cancels arrest warrants for Mnangagwa’s in-laws

Three women related by family to the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa will stand trial on 5 and 6 November at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court on drug charges.

Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, and their relative Noreen Jessub, 51, appeared before magistrate Mark Dzira on Wednesday after warrants for their arrest were issued and later cancelled when they arrived late for a scheduled hearing.

The court heard that the women, who primarily reside in Harare, were due to appear at 8 am but did not do so after their names were called three times.

Arab is the mother of Kelsea Tafirenyika, the second wife of the President’s twin son, Collins. Kelsea faces separate drug and money laundering charges in Harare.

Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that the women’s lawyer had said they were delayed while travelling from Harare.

“Their lawyer communicated that they are on their way from Harare. If the court will allow, let us stand down the matter,” Rugara said.

The magistrate rejected the explanation and issued warrants for their arrest.

“That cannot be a reason for absconding court. They knew that they were supposed to appear today. They should have come yesterday,” Dzira said.

The women later arrived, and their lawyer, Admire Rubaya, applied to have the warrants cancelled. Rugara did not oppose the application.

“We should give them a warning that they should respect the court’s time,” Rugara said.

Dzira granted the application, warned the women to make travel arrangements in good time, and set the matter down for a two-day trial in Court D on 5 and 6 November.

The three women were arrested on 19 August at a lodge in Bulawayo’s Ilanda suburb and were granted US$1,000 bail each by the Bulawayo High Court on 24 September.

Their bail conditions include surrendering their passports and reporting twice a week at Hatfield Police Station in Harare.

Prosecutors allege that police recovered two sachets of cocaine worth ZiG9,000 from Noreen Jessub’s room, hidden inside a shoe, and two sachets of cocaine from Arab’s room.

In Tafirenyika’s room, they allegedly found a sachet of crystal methamphetamine, a sachet of cocaine and US$53,055 in cash.

The three women deny the charges and are contesting the allegations against them.

More: ZimLive