The mother and two sisters of Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, the 22-year-old second wife of Collins Mnangagwa, a son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, were arrested in Bulawayo yesterday and remain in custody.
Kelsea was arrested on August 4 and charged with possession of drugs. She was granted US$1,000 bail by the High Court today, however news coming from sources at Chikurubi prison say there is an instruction to arrest her again tonight before she is released.
Abduction and Interrogation of Mother-in-Law
According to reliable sources, Collins Mnangagwa’s mother-in-law, Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, was abducted at Coke Corner in Harare at about noon on Thursday, August 13. She was driving home to Sunningdale after attending court, where her daughter had been denied bail.
The sources said Amina was taken to One Commando Barracks and questioned about US$4 million that her interrogators claimed belonged to Collins Mnangagwa.
During the interrogation, water was allegedly poured over her covered face and she was beaten with sticks and batons. Her interrogators reportedly told her that she would be punished if she failed to produce the money.
The sources said she fainted repeatedly but was forced back onto her feet so that the interrogation could continue.
Alleged Assault by First Lady
Amina was reportedly later taken to State House and handed over to the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, who allegedly assaulted her while demanding the money and title deeds to properties registered in Kelsea’s name. Kelsea is pregnant with Collins Mnangagwa’s twins.
The sources said the First Lady shouted: “Waisa mwana wangu muhari, mubudise,” meaning: “You bewitched my son, remove the curse.”
She also allegedly ordered Amina to stay away from her son and threatened that, if Kelsea were released from prison, she would send people to cut open her stomach so that her unborn babies would die.
The First Lady allegedly demanded that Amina surrender all the title deeds and return her son’s money.
Family Seeks Refuge, Then Arrested
Amina was reportedly taken back to One Commando Barracks before eventually being released.
The family subsequently sought refuge in Bulawayo. Sources said Amina and her daughters were arrested at a lodge yesterday and charged with possession of drugs, which they maintain were planted on them.
Sources close to the case said Kelsea’s initial arrest followed the alleged leaking of a video in which Collins appeared worse for wear. She was arrested alongside her uncle, Isaac Arab Jessub, who was also granted bail today.
