President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika has claimed that an identity document she allegedly possessed in the name of Gertrude Baeza could have been created using artificial intelligence. Tafirenyika will spend the weekend in custody and only learn her fate on 1 September, after her lawyers finished making submissions for bail. She appeared before […]
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika has claimed that an identity document she allegedly possessed in the name of Gertrude Baeza could have been created using artificial intelligence.
Tafirenyika will spend the weekend in custody and only learn her fate on 1 September, after her lawyers finished making submissions for bail.
She appeared before magistrate Francis Mapfumo on Thursday, represented by Admire Rubaya, Everson Chatambudza, Malvern Mapako and Kangai.
The alleged fake ID has led to a separate charge under the Civil Registry Act.
The state opposed bail, with investigating officer Gift Machipisa describing Tafirenyika as a flight risk because of her alleged extensive assets outside Zimbabwe.
Machipisa told the court that Tafirenyika owns more than 13 properties outside the country, mainly in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, and said authorities were engaging Interpol to help recover the assets.
The investigator argued that she could flee Zimbabwe knowing that properties she owns locally could be forfeited to the state.
Tafirenyika is accused of acquiring properties worth over US$9 million through proceeds of alleged drug dealing, charges she denies.
In her bail application, she maintained that the properties identified by police were gifts from her husband, Collins Takunda Mnangagwa, saying his business interests gave him the means to “spoil” her.
She also told police that her arrest was being driven by detractors of the First Family and was not linked to alleged drug possession.
Tafirenyika was re-arrested last Thursday on money-laundering charges shortly after being released from remand prison on US$1,000 bail over drug-related allegations.
More: NewZimbabwe.com
