Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law in court after police drugs raid
HARARE – Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, the second wife of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin son, Collins, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs.
Police raided her Greystone Park home and recovered pethidine, morphine and cannabis from inside the house and a vehicle parked in the yard.
The 22-year-old was remanded in custody to Thursday for a bail hearing after the National Prosecuting Authority indicated it would oppose her release pending trial.
The NPA says detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit acted on information received on August 4 alleging that Tafirenyika was selling pethidine from her residence at on Edgehill Close.
Police allege that when detectives entered her bedroom at around 8PM, they found her “seated on her bed counting some ampoules placing them on the bed.”
Investigators claim they immediately recovered eight ampoules of Fresenius Pethidine, 10 ampoules of Verpat Pethidine and seven 1ml ampoules of Fresenius Morphine Sulphate from her before conducting a further search.
The prosecution alleges officers subsequently recovered another 72 ampoules of Verpat Pethidine, 64 Fresenius Pethidine ampoules and 43 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate from drawers in the bedroom.
Police further allege that a search of her white Lamborghini uncovered five rolls of dagga concealed in the driver’s armrest.
The recovered drugs were seized as exhibits and are valued at US$204, according to court documents.
Prosecutors are opposing bail, arguing investigations are still underway.
In an affidavit filed before the court, investigating officer Detective Sergeant N. Charuma said: “The police are yet to arrest the drug trafficker who supplied the accused with the dangerous drug so if released on bail this will jeopardize investigations.”
The investigating officer also argued that Tafirenyika posed a flight risk.
“The accused was found in possession of Verpat Pethidine designed for sale in foreign markets indicating that she has foreign ties she can utilise to evade prosecution,” Charuma said.
He further argued that Tafirenyika could allegedly reconnect with the suspected supplier if released.
“The accused is likely to commit similar offence since she can re-establish communication lines with her supplier if granted bail,” the affidavit reads.
The NPA also contends that because the offence carries the prospect of a lengthy custodial sentence, she may abscond if granted bail.
Collins Mnangagwa was recently sent to Belarus for rehabilitation after he allegedly got hooked on drugs which the family accuses Tafirenyika of plying him with, according to sources. She is also accused of plundering Collins’ money after the drugs took effect, using it to buy several houses around Harare.
First lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has personally demanded her arrest, although it is unclear if detectives acted on her information this week. She has reportedly vowed to repossess several houses which Tafirenyika allegedly bought using her son’s money, and without his knowledge.
