By a Correspondent
Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, the second wife of Collins Mnangagwa, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin sons, has apologised to the President, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and the entire First Family over the controversy surrounding her criminal prosecution.
Kelsea is facing drug-related charges, money laundering and possession of a forged identity document, with prosecutors alleging that she acquired properties and luxury vehicles worth about US$9.35 million using proceeds of crime.
She denies the allegations, maintaining that the assets in question were acquired through her husband, Collins.
In a letter dated August 26, 2026, her lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, conveyed what they described as Kelsea’s “sincerest apologies”, saying she was “very sorry” that the matter had escalated to such great heights.
The lawyers said Kelsea wanted an amicable resolution with the First Lady and insisted that she had never dragged Auxillia Mnangagwa into the case.
They attributed claims that the First Lady had been implicated to “opportunists, detractors and adversaries of the First Family”.
According to the lawyers, they had only presented investigators with the same defence Kelsea gave in her warned and cautioned statement before she was charged with money laundering.
The First Lady has not publicly commented on the controversy.
Kelsea remains in custody in Harare following her re-arrest on money laundering and forged identity document charges.
Her uncle and co-accused, Isaac Arab Jessub, is facing charges of possessing pethidine for the purpose of dealing and possessing unregistered medicines. He was, however, granted bail by the High Court.
Meanwhile, Kelsea’s mother, Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, her aunt Noreen Jessub and sister Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika remain in custody in Bulawayo after being denied bail on charges of dealing in dangerous drugs.
Prosecutors allege that police recovered cocaine from rooms occupied by Amina and Noreen, while cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and US$53,055 in cash were allegedly recovered from Dyonne’s room.
The accused persons are yet to be convicted and remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
