Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa's Daughter-in-Law Denied Bail in U.S.$9.3m Money-Laundering Case, Court Rules She Is a Flight Risk
[New Zimbabwe] President Emmerson Mnangagwa's daughter-in-law, Kelsea Tafirenyika, has been denied bail in a US$9.3 million money-laundering case, with a Harare magistrate ruling that she has the financial means to flee and sustain herself anywhere in the world.
Zimbabwe's Harare regional magistrate, Francis Mapfumo, has ruled that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's daughter-in-law, Kelsea Tafirenyika, should not be granted bail in a US$9.3 million money-laundering case. The magistrate concluded that Tafirenyika has the financial means and global resources to flee the country, thus posing a flight risk if released.
The court found her to be "liquid" and capable of absconding due to alleged wealth from properties possibly acquired through drug-related activities. The State argued that Tafirenyika is a flight risk based on her ownership of properties in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. However, Tafirenyika denies the allegations and claims the properties are gifts from her husband, President Mnangagwa's son, and potentially matrimonial assets.
She also stated her arrest is politically motivated by opponents of the First Family and unrelated to drug possession allegations. Tafirenyika's arrest followed a previous release in a separate case involving accusations of acquiring properties with drug proceeds. Her legal team, consisting of Admire Rubaya, Everson Chatambudza, Malvern Mapako, and Kangai, has challenged an identity document allegedly issued under a different name with Tafirenyika's face, suggesting it may be a fake or AI-generated document.
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