Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe Faces New Charges in South Africa Shooting Case

Hyde Park suburb in Johannesburg, where the alleged shooting took place.

Johannesburg, South Africa — Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, and his co-accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze are expected to appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Thursday to face additional criminal charges linked to a shooting incident at a private residence in Hyde Park.

The two men were previously charged with attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Prosecutors have now added two more charges: pointing a firearm and contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act. The new developments come after allegations that the pair shot a 23-year-old gardener at the Mugabe family residence in the upscale Johannesburg suburb of Hyde Park on 19 February.

According to court documents and media reports, the victim, believed to be employed at the residence, was shot in the back during the alleged incident. He sustained injuries and was taken for medical treatment. Details about his current condition have not been widely disclosed. South African authorities have not yet released full details about what led to the shooting. However, the case has attracted significant attention in both South Africa and Zimbabwe due to the high-profile family involved.

The additional charge related to the Immigration Act has raised questions about Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe’s legal status in South Africa. Authorities are yet to clarify how he entered the country or whether he holds valid documentation permitting him to stay there. Legal experts say immigration-related charges could complicate the case further, depending on the findings of investigators and the outcome of court proceedings.

Both Mugabe and Matonhodze are expected to formally apply for bail during Thursday’s court appearance. The Alexandra Magistrate’s Court will determine whether the two men can be released pending trial or remain in custody. Bail hearings in South Africa typically consider several factors, including the seriousness of the alleged offences, the strength of the prosecution’s case, and whether the accused poses a flight risk.

The case has also drawn public interest because Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is part of the family of Zimbabwe’s late longtime leader, Robert Mugabe, who ruled the country for nearly four decades before being removed from power in 2017. If bail is granted, the case will proceed through South Africa’s criminal justice system, where prosecutors will need to present evidence supporting the charges.

Further court dates are expected to be set following the bail hearing as the investigation and prosecution continue.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe; shooting case; Hyde Park; Johannesburg; Alexandra Magistrate Court; Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze