Kelsea Mnangagwa Apologises to First Lady, Denies Role in Family Scandal

HARARE — Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika Mnangagwa, the second wife of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Collins Mnangagwa, has apologised to her mother-in-law, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, while denying involvement in allegations that have embroiled members of the First Family.

Collins Mnangagwa is the President’s twin son. Kelsea, 22, is currently in custody facing allegations of unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs, money laundering and possession of a forged national identity document. Through her lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, Kelsea said reports linking the First Lady to an alleged assault on her mother, Amina Jessub Arab, were part of what she described as a campaign by people seeking to create divisions within the First Family.

The reports alleged that Auxillia had confronted Arab over claims involving an alleged spell cast on Collins and assets reportedly worth more than US$10 million. Kelsea denied having dragged the First Lady into the dispute and said she regretted that her legal defence had resulted in public controversy involving the First Family.

In a letter addressed to Auxillia, the lawyers said their client wanted to convey her “sincerest apologies” to the First Lady, the President and the wider First Family.

“It was never her intention, nor could it ever be, to denigrate or show any measure of disrespect towards yourself, His Excellency the President, or any member of the First Family,” the lawyers wrote.

They said Kelsea believed opportunists and detractors had used the ongoing criminal proceedings to create what they described as “destructive narratives” around the First Family.

The lawyers said Kelsea “vehemently denies” the allegations against her but wanted to make it clear that she had not sought to involve Auxillia in the controversy.

“Our client is not a party to that scandalous enterprise, and neither are we,” they said.

Kelsea seeks amicable resolution

Kelsea also expressed a desire for an amicable resolution to the dispute and said she was open to direct engagement with her mother-in-law on any issues that had caused concern.

The lawyers said their client had reflected on the events surrounding the case and regretted the escalation of the public discourse.

“She has learnt from this experience and sincerely hopes that a direct and respectful dialogue may bring about the closure she earnestly seeks,” the lawyers said.

They added that Kelsea was “very sorry” that the matter had escalated to such an extent.

The lawyers also defended their handling of the case, saying they had acted strictly on their client's instructions and in accordance with their professional obligations.

They said their role had been to present Kelsea's defence to investigators, including the account she gave during the recording of her warned-and-cautioned statement before she was charged with money laundering.

“We are officers of the court, and we conduct ourselves as such,” the lawyers said.

They maintained that they had never intended to scandalise the First Lady or the First Family.

The letter ended with the lawyers expressing hope that it had clarified both Kelsea's position and their own.

Kelsea remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Kelsea Mnangagwa apology to Auxillia