Harare’s High Court has granted bail to Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, the daughter-in-law of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in connection with allegations that she laundered US$9.35 million in illicit funds.
Justice Vivian Ndlovu set bail at US$5,000 and ordered Tafirenyika to surrender her passport and report to police every Monday and Friday until the case is concluded. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, marks the second time in three weeks that Tafirenyika has successfully appealed a lower court’s denial of bail.
She was first arrested on August 4 after detectives raided her Greystone Park home, reportedly recovering more than 200 ampoules of pethidine and morphine from her bedroom and five rolls of cannabis from her Lamborghini. After being granted US$1,000 bail on August 20 on drug possession charges, she was immediately rearrested and faced additional financial crime charges.
Prosecutors allege that Tafirenyika used illicit proceeds to acquire real estate and luxury vehicles. She also faces allegations under the Civil Registry Act over a forged identity document bearing her photograph but the name Getrude Badza.
Meanwhile, Tafirenyika’s mother Amina Jessub Arab, her sister Dyone, and another relative arrested in Bulawayo on drugs charges remain in custody and are due in court on Friday for routine remand.
