The youngest son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe is in police custody in South Africa following the shooting of a gardener at the family’s Johannesburg residence. Authorities have launched an attempted murder investigation into the incident.
Police Confirmation
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that two men, aged 33 and 24, were taken in for questioning. While she declined to identify them, South African media reported that one of the suspects is Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 29. Images circulating online showed him handcuffed and escorted by officers.
The gardener, who was shot at the residence in a wealthy suburb north of Johannesburg, remains in critical condition.
“The circumstances of the shooting are still a bit sketchy,” Nevhuhulwi said, adding that investigators are working to determine the motive.
Family Background
The Mugabe brothers, Robert Jr. and Bellarmine, are well known in Johannesburg for their partying lifestyle. Their mother, Grace Mugabe, nicknamed “Gucci Grace”, has previously faced assault allegations in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In October, Robert Jr. appeared in a Harare court on cannabis possession charges, which he denies.
Conclusion
The case adds to a series of controversies surrounding the Mugabe family since the death of Robert Mugabe in 2019. As investigations continue, South African authorities are working to establish the motive behind the shooting and determine the role of those taken into custody.
