Mnangagwa Relatives Face Drug Trial in Bulawayo Next Month

By Moses Ndlovu

BULAWAYO – Three women linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family are expected to stand trial in Bulawayo on November 5 and 6 over allegations of possessing cocaine and crystal methamphetamine.

Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, and Noreen Jessub, 51, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira on Wednesday, October 21, when the trial dates were set.

Arab is the mother of Kelsea Tafirenyika, who is married to Collins Mnangagwa, the President’s son. Tafirenyika is Arab’s daughter, while Jessub is a relative of Arab.

The court proceedings were delayed after the three accused, who are out on bail, failed to arrive on time. Magistrate Dzira subsequently issued a warrant of arrest.

State representative Joseph Rugara told the court that the women were travelling from Harare, where they primarily reside.

After the trio arrived, their lawyer applied for the warrant to be cancelled.

The women were arrested at a lodge in Bulawayo’s Ilanda suburb, where police allegedly recovered cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and US$53,055 in cash from their rooms, according to the State.

The three are accused of unlawfully possessing dangerous drugs. The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The trial is scheduled to begin on November 5.