21/08/2026
Private Jet Grounded in Bulawayo as Collins Mnangagwa’s In-Laws Are Reportedly Detained
A private jet allegedly arranged to fly the mother-in-law and sister-in-law of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Collins, to Dubai was grounded overnight at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo amid reports that the women had been detained and searched for drugs.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Global Express registered A6-AFC, had reportedly been scheduled to leave Bulawayo on Wednesday night. However, it was denied permission to take off after authorities allegedly indicated that the control tower was unmanned.
The jet, carrying a crew of three men and one woman, was eventually cleared to depart on Thursday morning — but without the two women who had been expected to board.
Law enforcement sources said **Amina Jassinta Jessub Arab**, the mother of Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, who is reportedly married to Collins Mnangagwa, and her other daughter, **Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika**, were detained moments before they were due to board the aircraft.
The women were allegedly searched and found in possession of drugs, although details of the substances involved and whether any formal charges have been laid were not immediately clear.
The incident came on the eve of the High Court granting bail to Kelsea, who was arrested on August 4 on drug possession allegations.
Sources familiar with the matter claimed that the two women had opted to use Bulawayo's Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, rather than airports in Harare, in an apparent attempt to avoid attention.
The dramatic developments are reportedly linked to an escalating family dispute involving First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and Kelsea's family. Sources have alleged that the First Lady is behind the assault of Kelsea's mother, although the allegations have not been independently verified and no official response had been obtained at the time of publication.
The circumstances surrounding the detention, the alleged drugs and the private jet's aborted departure remain unclear, with authorities yet to publicly comment on the incident.