Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, has appeared in a court in Johannesburg after being charged in connection with the shooting of a gardener at his home. The incident took place last month at Mugabe’s residence in an affluent suburb north of the city. South African police arrested two men, including the 29-year-old Mugabe, on charges of attempted murder. Authorities say the gardener was left in critical condition following the shooting.
During a court appearance, Mugabe withdrew his bail application. His lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, said it was still too early to determine how his client would plead, adding that discussions with prosecutors could still take place before the case moves forward. The matter is scheduled to resume on 17 March. Police say the motive for the shooting remains unclear and investigations are ongoing.
Mugabe and his older brother, the sons of Robert Mugabe and former first lady Grace Mugabe, are known to spend time in Johannesburg. Their father ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades before being forced from power in the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d’état. The Mugabe family has faced controversy before. In 2017, Grace Mugabe was accused of assaulting a woman in a Johannesburg hotel, an incident that sparked diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
