Johannesburg, South Africa — 2026-02-19 South Africa police arrest son of former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe.
The youngest son of the late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has been arrested in South Africa following a shooting incident at his residence, according to police and a family lawyer. Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 29, was detained along with another man on Thursday, officials said and both were later placed under arrest and charged with attempted murder.
An employee at the Johannesburg property sustained a single gunshot wound and is currently in critical condition, police confirmed.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, with investigations ongoing, a police spokesperson. Lawyer Ashley Mugiya, representing Bellarmine Mugabe, told The Associated Press that his client was one of the two men arrested.
South African national broadcaster SABC reported that the incident took place at the younger Mugabe’s home in a wealthy Johannesburg suburb.
Both suspects were uncooperative with police at the scene, and no further details regarding the location of the gun were provided. Mugabe, who resides in Johannesburg with his brother, Robert Jr, has been involved in several legal issues over the years.
The late Robert Mugabe, who died in Singapore in 2019, was ousted in a 2017 military coup after 37 years in power. His family has faced various criminal charges, including possession of marijuana by Robert Jr and an alleged assault by Grace Mugabe, his second wife, in 2017. Further details regarding the case are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
