Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe Arrested After Gardener Shot at Johannesburg Home

Former President Mugabe's son Chatunga Bellarmine charged with attempted murder in SA

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, has been detained in South Africa following a shooting incident at his Johannesburg residence. Authorities confirmed that a gardener employed at the property sustained a gunshot wound and remains in critical condition.

According to South African police, two men aged 33 and 24 were taken in for questioning in connection with the shooting, which occurred at an upscale Hyde Park home in Johannesburg. Although police have not officially named the suspects, family lawyer Ashley Mugiya confirmed to The Associated Press that Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe was among those detained.

Police Investigation Underway

Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting. “The motive of the shooting is unknown at this stage, and police investigations are underway,” she told journalists at the scene.

Officers recovered a cartridge at the residence, which will form part of the investigation. However, the firearm allegedly used in the shooting has not yet been located. Police deployed a dog unit to search the property extensively.

Nevhuhulwi added that the suspects were initially uncooperative when officers arrived at the scene, and that a lengthy negotiation ensued before police gained access to the property.

“We cannot definitely say who shot,” she stated, confirming that the suspects are expected to face charges of attempted murder pending further investigation.

Victim in Critical Condition

The victim, identified as a gardener employed at the residence, was rushed to the hospital after sustaining a single gunshot wound. Authorities reported that he remains in critical condition, though they expressed hope for his recovery.

The exact circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, and police have yet to confirm the identity of the alleged shooter officially.

Mugabe Family’s Legal Representation

Ashley Mugiya, a Zimbabwe-based lawyer representing the family, stated that legal representatives in South Africa will handle the case locally.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is one of the sons of the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being ousted in a 2017 military takeover. He later died in Singapore in 2019.

The Mugabe family has faced several legal controversies over the years. In 2023, Bellarmine’s older brother, Robert Mugabe Jr, was fined in Zimbabwe after admitting to possession of marijuana. Grace Mugabe was also accused of assault in Johannesburg in 2017, though she was later granted diplomatic immunity at the time.

Ongoing Developments

South African authorities have emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that formal charges will follow once the inquiry is complete. As of now, police have not released further details regarding the weapon or the events that led to the shooting.

The case continues to attract regional attention, given the Mugabe family’s political legacy and previous legal controversies.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe arrested