HARARE, Aug. 26 (NewsDay Live) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law, Kelsea Tafirenyika, will spend the weekend in custody after a Harare magistrate deferred ruling on her bail application to Sept. 1.
Tafirenyika, who is facing money laundering charges, appeared before Magistrate Francis Mapfumo, with her lawyers, Admire Rubaya, Everson Chatambudza, Malvern Mapako and Kangai, finalising submissions in her bail application.
In her application, Tafirenyika said properties valued at about US$9 million, as well as other assets whose value has not yet been determined, were gifts from her husband, Collins Takunda Mnangagwa, the President’s son.
She told the court that her husband had a vast business empire and could afford to buy her expensive gifts.
Tafirenyika also claimed her arrest was not linked to allegations of drug-related activities but was influenced by detractors of the First Family.
However, investigating officer Gift Machipisa opposed bail, arguing that Tafirenyika was a flight risk because she had the means to live outside Zimbabwe and owned several properties abroad.
Machipisa told the court that Tafirenyika had more than 13 properties outside the country and that investigators were engaging Interpol for assistance in recovering the assets.
He argued that she could abscond and leave behind her properties in Zimbabwe, knowing they could be forfeited to the State.
Tafirenyika is also facing a separate charge of allegedly violating the Civil Registry Act after she was found in possession of an alleged fake identity document.
Her lawyer argued that the identity document, bearing the name Getrude Baeza, could have been manufactured using artificial intelligence.
Tafirenyika was rearrested on Thursday shortly after being released from remand prison on the money laundering allegations.
She is accused of acquiring properties valued at about US$9 million through alleged proceeds from drug-related activities, as well as more than 13 properties in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The magistrate is expected to rule on her bail application on Sept. 1.
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