Court Correspondent
Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Thursday denied bail to socialite Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law, and her uncle, Issac Arab Jassub, ordering the pair to remain in custody pending trial.
Tafirenyika and Jassub are facing charges relating to the alleged possession of controlled prescription medicines, including drugs bearing packaging intended for foreign markets.
In denying bail, Magistrate Gofa agreed with the State that releasing the accused could compromise ongoing investigations and create a risk of them absconding.
The State alleges that Tafirenyika and Jassub were arrested after detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Drugs and Narcotics Unit raided Tafirenyika’s Greystone Park residence in Harare.
According to the prosecution, police found the 22-year-old Tafirenyika in her bedroom, where she was allegedly counting ampoules of controlled medication.
A subsequent search of the house and her vehicle allegedly uncovered ampoules of Verpat Pethidine, Fresenius Pethidine and Morphine Sulphate, as well as rolls of cannabis.
During the bail hearing, prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that investigations were still ongoing and that some alleged associates linked to the suspected distribution network remained at large.
The State argued that the accused could interfere with investigations or destroy evidence if released on bail. It also raised concerns that they could use foreign connections to evade justice.
The prosecution further highlighted the presence of Verpat Pethidine, which it said was packaged for a foreign market, arguing that this could point to possible cross-border links.
Defence lawyer Malvern Mapako opposed the State’s objections, arguing that the accused had no previous convictions, had cooperated with police and were prepared to comply with stringent bail conditions.
However, Magistrate Gofa dismissed the bail application and ordered Tafirenyika and Jassub to remain in remand custody as the State prepares its case for trial.
