HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law Kelsea Tadiwa has been granted bail by the High Court for the second time in three weeks, this time securing her release on US$5,000 bail over allegations that she laundered US$9.35 million.
Represented by lawyers Admire Rubaya, Everson Chatambudza, Malvern Mapako and Kangai, Tadiwa successfully appealed against a Sept. 2 decision by Harare regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo denying her bail.
High Court Justice Vivian Ndlovu overturned the lower court’s decision Wednesday and ordered Tadiwa to deposit US$5,000, surrender her passport and report to police every Monday and Friday until the case is finalised.
Mapfumo had ruled that Tadiwa, who is married to Mnangagwa’s twin son Collins, posed a flight risk because of her access to substantial financial resources and assets.
Tadiwa’s latest bail battle followed her rearrest last month, shortly after she had successfully appealed to the High Court in a separate drug case.
Detectives initially arrested Tadiwa after raiding her Greystone Park home on Aug. 4, reportedly recovering more than 200 ampoules of pethidine and morphine from her bedroom and five rolls of cannabis from her Lamborghini.
She was charged with unlawful possession of dangerous drugs and initially denied bail before the High Court granted her US$1,000 bail on Aug. 20.
But Tadiwa was immediately rearrested when she appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court and subsequently charged with financial crimes.
Prosecutors allege she laundered US$9.35 million in illicit proceeds used to acquire an extensive portfolio of real estate and luxury vehicles.
She also faces allegations under the Civil Registry Act over a purported forged identity document bearing her photograph but carrying the name “Getrude Badza.”
