A 22-year-old woman married into Zimbabwe’s first family has been placed in remand custody following her arrest on suspicion of dealing in dangerous drugs. Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, the second wife of Collins Mnangagwa, appeared before a Harare magistrate on Wednesday and was told she would remain behind bars until Thursday, when her bail application will be heard.

Prosecutors opposed her immediate release, arguing that freeing her could undermine ongoing investigations into a suspected drug supply network. Detective Sergeant Neverd Charuma, the investigating officer, stated in court papers that police are still looking for the alleged supplier who provided Tafirenyika with the narcotics.

The arrest followed a raid on her Greystone Park residence on Tuesday night by the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit. According to the State, officers acted on a tip-off that she was selling pethidine from the property. They allegedly found her in a bedroom counting ampoules and recovered additional drugs from drawers in the room. In total, police say they seized 154 ampoules of pethidine, 50 ampoules of morphine sulphate, and five rolls of dagga, with an estimated street value of US$204.

In opposing bail, investigators also argued that Tafirenyika is a flight risk because some of the seized drugs were packaged for foreign markets, suggesting she has international connections. The State further noted the seriousness of the charge and the likelihood of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. The magistrate remanded her in custody to Thursday for bail arguments.