The arrest of 22-year-old Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika has brought drugs, rehabilitation and allegations involving President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family into the public spotlight after police allegedly recovered pethidine, morphine and cannabis from her Greystone Park home and a vehicle parked in the yard.

Tafirenyika, the second wife of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin son, Collins, appeared in court on Wednesday facing allegations of unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs.

The case has also drawn attention to Collins, who was recently sent to Belarus for rehabilitation after he allegedly became addicted to drugs.

Darlington Maphosa said the arrest had exposed what he described as problems within the family.

“Tafirenyika, what a name. She’s done what millions of men failed to do, destroying a troblabalas family. I really hope she didn’t stop there. She deserves a hero’s status, she deserves.”

But Mutapa Hungwe challenged the narrative around Tafirenyika, saying responsibility for an adult’s alleged drug use should not automatically be placed on her.

“Auxillia should stop blaming Tafirenyika when it is her adult son choosing to do drugs. He is the one who introduced Tafirenyika to drugs. Emmerson Jnr is busy squandering the country’s [money] on Pokello, buying her very expensive items costing millions of money.”

Tendai Mukanya similarly questioned attempts to blame Tafirenyika for an alleged drug problem.

“Surely blaming that young girl for an old man’s drug problem is madness on steroids. The guy has been rumoured to be a drug lord and addict.”

Patrick Chinongoya linked the case to the rehabilitation centres currently under construction.

“I might guess correctly the name of someone who is going to be a boarder at one of the ‘Rehab Centres’ that are currently under construction. Ma ‘Rehab Centres’ anovakwa nevene vawo.”

Eulitah Dube said the controversy had reminded her of scandals associated with Zimbabwe’s previous ruling family.

“It’s giving the Mugabe dynasty aura: sex, drugs, alcohol, fornication, philandering and just out-of-line bacchanalia.”

Other comments went further, with Taboga Tsono alleging: “She thinks we don’t know that the twins are drug dealers.”

Tongai Rugare also made allegations about cocaine use and private parties in Bulawayo, saying: “Drugs, drugs, drugs. They take cocaine. It is well known, especially when he comes to Bulawayo. He will be with Rice of the Continental Hotels and Lodges. They do lodge parties, call every woman in Bulawayo, close themselves [in] and smoke for [a] day.”

Andy Zimuto, meanwhile, linked the developments to questions about political leadership.

“If we were a normal society, this is another opportunity presented by the dictator to be called off the stage. In normal countries, this is enough for a leader to be asked to resign, as that is evidence enough of a lack of capacity to handle an institution like a state.”

The allegations arise from a case in which the National Prosecuting Authority says detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit acted on information received on August 4 alleging that Tafirenyika was selling pethidine from her residence at Edgehill Close.

Police allege that when detectives entered her bedroom at around 8pm, they found her “seated on her bed counting some ampoules placing them on the bed.”

Investigators claim they immediately recovered eight ampoules of Fresenius Pethidine, 10 ampoules of Verpat Pethidine and seven 1ml ampoules of Fresenius Morphine Sulphate before conducting a further search.

The prosecution alleges that officers subsequently recovered another 72 ampoules of Verpat Pethidine, 64 Fresenius Pethidine ampoules and 43 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate from drawers in the bedroom.

Police further allege that five rolls of dagga were found concealed in the driver’s armrest of a white Lamborghini parked in the yard.

The recovered drugs were seized as exhibits and are valued at US$204, according to court documents.

Tafirenyika was remanded in custody until Thursday for a bail hearing after the National Prosecuting Authority indicated that it would oppose her release pending trial.

In an affidavit filed before the court, investigating officer Detective Sergeant N. Charuma said police were still looking for the alleged supplier.

“The police are yet to arrest the drug trafficker who supplied the accused with the dangerous drug, so if released on bail this will jeopardise investigations,” Charuma said.

He also argued that Tafirenyika posed a flight risk because of alleged foreign links.

“The accused was found in possession of Verpat Pethidine designed for sale in foreign markets, indicating that she has foreign ties she can utilise to evade prosecution,” Charuma said.

Charuma further alleged that she could reconnect with the suspected supplier if released.

“The accused is likely to commit a similar offence since she can re-establish communication lines with her supplier if granted bail,” the affidavit reads.

The NPA also contends that because the offence carries the prospect of a lengthy custodial sentence, Tafirenyika may abscond if granted bail.

Beyond the drug charges, sources have accused Tafirenyika of supplying Collins with drugs and using his money to buy several houses around Harare after the drugs allegedly took effect.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has reportedly demanded her arrest and vowed to repossess several houses which Tafirenyika allegedly bought using her son’s money without his knowledge.