Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law denied bail in US$9.3 million money-laundering case

Kelsea Tafirenyika will remain in custody after a Harare magistrate rejected her bail application in a US$9.3 million money-laundering case. The court said she had the financial means to leave Zimbabwe and support herself elsewhere.

Regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo ruled that Tafirenyika would be a flight risk if released. The court described her as “liquid” and said she “could abscond” because of the resources allegedly available to her.

The state opposed bail. Investigating officer Gift Machipisa told the court that Tafirenyika allegedly owned properties outside Zimbabwe, including in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Authorities were engaging Interpol to help trace and recover the foreign assets, he said.

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liquid

Tafirenyika denies the allegations. She says the properties, reportedly worth about US$9 million, were gifts from her husband, Collins Mnangagwa, the president’s son, and formed part of their matrimonial assets. She also told police that her arrest was driven by opponents of the First Family and was not connected to allegations of drug possession.

She was re-arrested last week soon after being released from remand in a separate case involving alleged property purchases financed by proceeds from drug dealings. Her lawyers, Admire Rubaya, Everson Chatambudza, Malvern Mapako and Kangai, are challenging the case. They have also disputed an identity document issued under the name Getrude Badza but bearing Tafirenyika’s face, suggesting it may have been produced using artificial intelligence.

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could abscond