Bulawayo magistrate Taurai Manuwere has dismissed the bail application for Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, the mother of Collin Mnangagwa’s second wife, Kelsea Tafirenyika, her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, and their relative, Noreen Jessub, 51.
The trio will remain in custody, with the matter postponed to September 3, 2026.
Manuwere noted that the State had a strong case against the three, citing the alleged recovery of drugs and a large amount of money 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 was recovered from the belongings of the accused persons, in the bedrooms that they were occupying,” Manuwere said.
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The magistrate also said the seriousness of the alleged offences and the possibility of a custodial sentence could influence the accused to 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.
Manuwere further noted that the three were not permanent residents of Bulawayo, had valid passports and had access to large amounts of money, which he said could enable them to flee the city or country.
“Of note also is that the accused persons are not permanent residents of Bulawayo, they have valid passports and have access to huge amounts of money that may perpetuate a possibility of fleeing Bulawayo, or the country altogether, and seek residence anywhere internationally. The bail application is dismissed,” he said.
The trio were arrested on Wednesday at a lodge in Bulawayo’s Ilanda suburb.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, police searched their rooms and allegedly recovered two sachets of cocaine worth ZiG9,000 in Jessub’s room, hidden inside a shoe.
Two sachets of cocaine were allegedly found in Arab’s room, concealed 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, citing that evidence against the trio as “overwhelming” and arguing that they were flight risks. It further noted that the cash recovered 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 trio to the alleged offences and that they were likely to abscond or evade trial. It also alleged that the family was involved in a criminal enterprise.
Defence lawyer, Brezhnev Mathonsi, argued that the three were suitable candidates for bail.
“The state already has all their passports, and there are no witnesses that could be interfered with as the state has already collected all its evidence at the scene,” Mathonsi said.
He also challenged the prosecution case, arguing that several security agencies had been involved in searching the scene, raising the possibility that the drugs could have been planted to incriminate the women.
“While the alleged offence might be grave, the accused enjoy a presumption of innocence until proven guilty at trial,” Mathonsi said.
Mathonsi also urged the court to ensure that Amina gets medical examination for the injuries she sustained from an alleged assault, and that the report be incorporated into the case file.
Meanwhile, Kelsea, who was arrested on drug charges on August 4, was re-arrested on fresh charges on Thursday night after being released on bail.
Prosecutors have charged her with money laundering, accusing her of buying properties, including luxury vehicles and houses worth US$10 million, from proceeds of drug dealing.
One of the vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was repossessed from Arab on August 13.
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