BULAWAYO Regional Magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla has dismissed a bail re-application by three women linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin son, Collins, ruling that the defence had failed to demonstrate any changed circumstances since their previous application.
Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab (47), her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika (28) and their relative Noreen Jessub (51) were remanded in custody to September 30, 2026.
Collins is married to Amina’s other daughter, Kelsea, who is also out on bail on drug and money-laundering charges.
The trio are represented by lawyers Admire Rubaya and Brezhnev Mathonsi.
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Rubaya argued that circumstances had changed since the previous bail application, citing the passage of time without a trial date, concerns over the validity of affidavits relied on by the State and the absence of forensic evidence confirming that substances allegedly recovered from the women were drugs.
Rubaya told the court that bail could be reconsidered where facts had emerged after the previous application or had not been placed before the court at the time.
“There are three changes. There has been passage of time, from August 19, 2026. It’s been a month they haven’t been given a trial date, and they have not been served with court papers,” he said.
He said the State had indicated that investigations were completed on September 2, but the accused had not yet been served with the State papers.
“It’s now almost a month since the arrest. The State has a tendency of lying and promising to give trial dates but to this date there hasn’t been anything done,” Rubaya said.
He also challenged the affidavits submitted by the State, arguing that the stamps did not identify the persons who commissioned them and that the affidavits were undated.
“We don’t know if it’s a constable or an inspector. We cannot take regard of that affidavit because of such circumstances. This case is based on an invalid affidavit,” he said.
Rubaya further argued that the State had not produced forensic evidence confirming that the substances allegedly recovered from the women were cocaine and crystal methamphetamine.
“There is no forensic evidence prima facie that the substances recovered are indeed drugs,” he said.
“Part of the alleged substances is cocaine, which is white in colour, what if they were arrested for chalk powder or something else. There is no scientific backing to ascertain that the alleged substances are indeed what they are claimed to be.”
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the searches, arguing that the substances could have been planted because the women were staying at a lodge where other people had access to the rooms.
The three women were arrested at a lodge in Ilanda, Bulawayo.
According to the State, police allegedly recovered two sachets of cocaine worth ZiG9,000 from Jessub’s room, hidden inside a shoe, while two sachets of cocaine were allegedly found in Arab’s room.
In Tafirenyika’s room, police allegedly recovered a sachet of crystal methamphetamine, another sachet of cocaine and US$53,055 in cash.
Prosecutor Vhumani Moyo opposed the bail re-application, arguing that the defence had failed to establish any changed circumstances.
“The applicants must clear the jurisdiction threshold of facts that were not placed before the court. We cannot argue on a bail that has already been refused,” Moyo said.
He said the passage of 21 days did not amount to a sufficient change in circumstances, particularly because the case involved forensic examination of the alleged cocaine.
“The results of the forensics were sent to us on Wednesday and the State will serve the state papers on Thursday,” Moyo said.
Moyo also argued that the validity of the affidavits did not affect the strength of the State case and accused the defence of turning the bail hearing into a trial.
“We are not here to argue the case of planting drugs. We are here to argue the case of bail, not to stage a mini trial, which the defence is trying to do,” he said.
Rubaya maintained that the State had not produced evidence showing that the forensic results were available.
“There is no evidence to show that the expert analysis is in their possession. We can’t take their word,” he said.
“The State cannot testify from the bar. We cannot take their word. We want tangible evidence that they have the evidence they claim to have to show the strength of their case.”
During the previous bail hearing, the State opposed bail, citing the strength of its case and arguing that the three women were flight risks.
The State also raised concerns over the US$53,055 allegedly recovered from Tafirenyika, which it said could be proceeds of crime.
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