BULAWAYO – Three in-laws of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Collins were denied bail on Monday after a Bulawayo magistrate ruled that they posed a risk of absconding because of their foreign residences, valid passports and access to large amounts of cash.

Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, the mother of Collins’ second wife Kelsea Tafirenyika, her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, and their relative Noreen Jessub, 51, were remanded in custody to September 3 by magistrate Taurai Manuwere.

They are facing charges of dealing in dangerous drugs following their arrest at a lodge in Bulawayo on August 19.

Prosecutor Nkanyezi Xaba had opposed bail, arguing that the state had a strong case against the three and that the seriousness of the charges, possible custodial sentences and their ability to leave the country created a risk that they would abscond.

Manuwere said the prosecution case was strengthened by the alleged recovery of drugs from the three women’s personal belongings and rented rooms.

“The recovery of the illicit drugs from the specific personal belongings of each applicant within their respective rented rooms” was a significant factor, the magistrate said.

He said the drugs involved, including cocaine and methamphetamine, were dangerous. He said there was a realistic prospect of imprisonment for the trio.

“Clearly, where the state possesses cogent, direct evidence, the prospect of a custodial sentence is a powerful inducement for an accused person to abscond,” Manuwere said.

The magistrate also rejected the defence argument that bail conditions could adequately address the risk.

He said the three did not ordinarily reside in Bulawayo and had valid passports at the time of arrest, while substantial amounts of cash had been recovered.

The court noted that US$20,000 and US$23,055 were allegedly found in the possession of two of the women, giving them the financial means to relocate beyond the court’s jurisdiction.

“The combination of these factors shows that physical capacity for international mobility and immediate financial means to relocate outside the court’s reach is anything but remote to the applicants,” Manuwere ruled.

He said surrendering passports and requiring the accused to report to the police would not sufficiently mitigate the risk.

“The possession of valid passports, substantial and unverified cash assets, combined with standard conditions such as passport surrender and report-in obligations, does not adequately mitigate the real risk of absconding,” he said.

Defence lawyer Brezhnev Mathonsi had argued that the three were presumed innocent and were suitable candidates for bail.

He said the state had already seized their passports and gathered its evidence, leaving little risk of interference with investigations.

Mathonsi also questioned the prosecution’s case, arguing that the state had not clearly established the individual role played by each accused or whether they were users or sellers of the drugs.

The defence further argued that any risk of absconding could be addressed through strict bail conditions.

The state, however, maintained that the evidence was direct and that the drugs had been recovered from areas occupied by the accused and among their personal effects.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, police raided a lodge in Ilanda suburb and searches allegedly uncovered cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy in rooms occupied by the three women.

The state also alleges that a large amount of cash was recovered from Tafirenyika’s room and described it as suspected proceeds of crime, which she had failed to account for.

The magistrate acknowledged the constitutional presumption of innocence but said the state had established compelling reasons for continued detention.

“Accordingly, the application for bail pending trial in respect of all the three applicants is hereby dismissed,” Manuwere ruled.

The arrests came hours before the three were due to board a private jet chartered from the United Arab Emirates, which had positioned at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.

The jet was grounded overnight and left Bulawayo on August 20 without the three women.

Mathonsi also asked the court for Arab to undergo a medical examination for injuries suffered after she was allegedly kidnapped and tortured in Harare on August 13.

Manuwere granted the request and ordered the prison authorities to provide her with the necessary medical assistance.

Meanwhile, Kelsea remains in custody in Harare after she was charged with money laundering. Her bail hearing continues on Wednesday.