Mnangagwa's in-laws detained at airport

Police reportedly thwarted an attempt by the mother and sister of Collins Mnangagwa's second wife to leave Zimbabwe amid an ongoing money-laundering investigation.

Collins is the twin son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.

According to law-enforcement sources, a private jet scheduled to fly Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab, the mother of Collins' second wife Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, and her daughter Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika to Dubai was grounded at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo on Wednesday night.

The two women were reportedly detained shortly before they were due to board the aircraft.

The Bombardier Global Express, registration A6-AFC, was carrying four crew members — three men and a woman — and was initially prevented from departing after authorities reportedly said the airport control tower was unmanned.

The aircraft was eventually cleared to leave on Thursday morning, but the two women reportedly remained in Zimbabwe.

Sources said the women had chosen Bulawayo airport in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.

The reported detention came a day before the High Court granted bail to Kelsea following her arrest on August 4 on drug possession charges.

It is understood that detectives were waiting outside Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison following her release, reportedly intending to arrest her on fresh charges.

Arab was previously detained in Harare on August 13, when police seized a Toyota Land Cruiser from her as part of investigations into suspected money laundering.

She has alleged that she was assaulted while in police custody, with photographs circulating on social media appearing to show bruises on her body.

The vehicle is reportedly among dozens of properties that investigators are examining as part of the probe into Kelsea's alleged acquisition of assets.

Sources claim Kelsea acquired at least 54 properties, including houses and vehicles, allegedly using millions of dollars taken from Collins, who is involved in mining.

Police have reportedly recovered about 13 of the properties so far.

Investigators are said to believe that some of the assets were registered in the names of Kelsea's relatives, including her mother and sister.

The allegations have not been tested in court.

Meanwhile, sources have made further allegations involving the Mnangagwa family, claiming that the First Lady has been closely involved in the investigation.

The allegations include claims that Kelsea introduced Collins to drugs before allegedly taking money and assets from him while he was under the influence.

Sources have also made unverified claims that the First Lady accused Kelsea and her mother of using a traditional ritual to influence Collins.

Those allegations have not been independently verified, and neither Kelsea nor her relatives have publicly responded to them.

Collins is reportedly in Dubai undergoing rehabilitation for drug addiction. Sources claim he has continued supporting Kelsea, including paying her legal fees and helping facilitate the private flight that was ultimately aborted.

The latest developments come as authorities intensify investigations into the alleged financial dealings and assets linked to Kelsea and her relatives.

Neither Collins nor Auxillia has publicly commented on the allegations.

Auxillia travelled to Bulawayo by road on Thursday ahead of a scheduled event on Friday at which she is expected to meet elderly people.

Repeated attempts to obtain comment from police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi were reportedly unsuccessful.

The allegations remain subject to police investigations and any subsequent court proceedings.