High Court Grants Bail to Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika in Drug Case

By Southerton Business Times Reporter HARARE — August 20, 2026

The High Court has granted bail to Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika and her co-accused Isaac Arab Jessub, who are facing drug-related charges. Justice Pisirayi Kwenda on Thursday allowed the pair’s bail appeal by consent, setting aside a magistrate’s decision made on August 13 to deny them bail. Tafirenyika, 22, and Jessub were each ordered to pay US$1,000 bail and comply with several conditions, including surrendering their passports, reporting to police every two weeks, and residing at their stated addresses.

Tafirenyika will report to Borrowdale Police Station, while Jessub, her uncle, will report to Hatfield Police Station. The High Court also ordered the accused not to interfere with State witnesses, exhibits or ongoing police investigations. The two are facing charges of unlawful possession of pethidine for the purpose of dealing and unlawful possession of unregistered medicines. Tafirenyika was arrested on August 4 following a raid at her Greystone Park home by detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit.

According to the State, detectives allegedly recovered more than 200 ampoules of pethidine and morphine from her bedroom. Five rolls of cannabis were also allegedly discovered hidden inside her Lamborghini. The State had opposed the accused’s release on bail, arguing that investigations were continuing and that the alleged supplier had not yet been arrested. Prosecutors also argued that Tafirenyika presented a flight risk. The latest ruling means the two accused will remain out of custody while the drug case proceeds, subject to the bail conditions imposed by the High Court.

Tafirenyika and Jessub are represented by lawyers Malvern Mapako and Admire Rubaya, instructing Advocate Sylvester Hashiti. Both accused deny the allegations. The case comes amid heightened public attention on drug trafficking and the possession of controlled medicines in Zimbabwe, with authorities continuing to target suspected drug networks through specialised police investigations. The High Court’s decision to grant bail does not amount to a finding of innocence. The allegations against Tafirenyika and Jessub will still have to be tested through the criminal justice process.

Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika bail