KELSEA DRUG DRAMA: Mum and Sister Held as Dubai Jet Waited
US$53,055 CASH, COCAINE AND CRYSTAL METH ALLEGEDLY FOUND AS PRIVATE JET PREPARED TO FLY THEM TO DUBAI
By The Day Star Investigations Desk
The drug scandal surrounding Kelsea Tafirenyika has taken a dramatic new turn after her mother and sister were arrested in Bulawayo — hours before they were expected to board a private jet reportedly bound for Dubai.
Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, 47, Kelsea’s mother, and her sister Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika, 28, were arrested alongside their relative Noreen Jessub, 51, at Kenlock Guest House in Bulawayo’s Ilanda suburb.
According to court proceedings, police allegedly recovered cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and US$53,055 in cash during searches of the rooms.
The three women are facing charges of unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs.
They have not been convicted and remain presumed innocent.
THE US$53,055 CASH FIND
The most startling discovery was allegedly made in Dyonne’s room.
Police allege they found one sachet of cocaine, one sachet of crystal methamphetamine and US$53,055 in cash.
The investigating officer told the court that the money was believed to be proceeds of crime and that Dyonne had allegedly failed to account for it.
In Amina’s room, police allegedly recovered two sachets of cocaine concealed in a small bag.
And in Noreen’s room, detectives allegedly found another two sachets of cocaine hidden inside a Nike shoe, according to the prosecution.
The alleged recoveries form the basis of the dangerous-drug charges now before the Bulawayo court.
THEN CAME THE DUBAI JET
The arrests took an extraordinary turn amid reports of a planned international departure.
A private jet chartered from the United Arab Emirates was reportedly positioned at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, with Amina and Dyonne expected to travel to Dubai.
The women were arrested hours before they were due to board, according to court reporting.
The aircraft was grounded overnight and subsequently left Bulawayo the following morning — without them.
The circumstances surrounding the planned departure have become part of the State’s opposition to bail, with prosecutors arguing that the accused could be flight risks.
The defence has challenged that position, arguing that the State already had their passports and that the evidence had been recovered.
BAIL BATTLE TODAY
Dyonne and her mother, Amina, are expected back in the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court today for a bail hearing.
The pair are seeking their release following their arrest alongside Noreen in the dangerous-drug case.
The State is opposing bail, with the circumstances surrounding the planned international departure reportedly forming part of its concerns over the risk of the accused absconding.
The defence is expected to push for their release on bail.
HARARE FAMILY, BULAWAYO ARREST
Amina and Dyonne are listed in the police documents as having residential addresses in Harare, yet their arrests unfolded at a Bulawayo guest house.
Police say the searches there produced the alleged drugs and cash.
THE KELSEA CONNECTION
The arrests come as Kelsea Tafirenyika faces separate proceedings in Harare.
Kelsea, the second wife of Collins Mnangagwa, was arrested on drug-related allegations on August 4 and was later released on bail.
She was subsequently re-arrested on fresh allegations of money laundering, with prosecutors alleging that she acquired properties and luxury vehicles worth about US$9.35 million using proceeds allegedly generated from drug dealing.
Now, with Kelsea facing separate proceedings in Harare and her mother, sister and relative facing dangerous-drug charges in Bulawayo, the legal drama surrounding the family has spread across the country.
THE JET LEFT. THEY DIDN’T.
For Amina and Dyonne, the journey to Bulawayo ended in police custody.
The private jet left without them.
The case has now placed US$53,055 in cash, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and a planned international departure at the centre of a widening legal drama surrounding Kelsea Tafirenyika’s family.
None of the drug or money-laundering allegations against the accused have been proved in court. All accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until convicted.