HARARE – Kelsea Tafirenyika, the second wife of Collins Mnangagwa, has been denied bail after a Harare magistrate ruled that her wealth, international links and access to foreign properties posed a risk that she could abscond trial.
Harare regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo said Tafirenyika was “liquid” and had the financial means to sustain herself anywhere in the world if released.
“The accused’s mobility and access to crossing borders is strength for the prosecution argument,” Mapfumo said.
“Bail should not be denied on flimsy grounds, but there must be reasonable grounds to deny it.”
Mapfumo said the prosecution had presented compelling reasons for keeping Tafirenyika in custody, including allegations that she owns properties in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The magistrate said it would be difficult for Zimbabwean authorities to secure the assistance of foreign law enforcement agencies should Tafirenyika flee the country.
“It is the court’s view that there are compelling reasons justifying continued incarceration,” Mapfumo ruled.
Tafirenyika is facing allegations of money laundering involving properties valued at close to US$10 million, which prosecutors claim were acquired using proceeds from drug dealing.
The National Prosecuting Authority alleges she accumulated several properties through the proceeds of drug trafficking, including more than 13 properties in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Tafirenyika denies the allegations and told the court that most of the properties were gifts from her husband, the twin son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
She is also accused of possessing a forged identity document bearing the name Getrude Badza but carrying her photograph.
Mapfumo said the alleged existence of forged documents further strengthened the state’s case against her and raised concerns about the possibility of interference with the criminal justice process.
The magistrate’s ruling comes after Tafirenyika was re-arrested about two weeks ago, shortly after she had been released from remand custody over the money-laundering allegations.
Last week, through her lawyer Admire Rubaya of Rubaya and Chatambudza, Tafirenyika wrote to the first lady apologising over the developments and alleging that her arrest and the drug-related allegations were being driven by detractors of the Mnangagwa family. The first lady has not publicly responded.
