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| Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe in handcuffs. |
JOHANNESBURG — Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the younger son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, appeared today in Alexandra Magistrates' Court, charged with attempted murder, obstruction of justice, and illegal possession of a firearm.
These charges stem from a shooting that wounded a 23-year-old man (described as a gardener) at a property in Hyde Park on February 19, 2026. The victim was shot at least once in the back and remains in critical condition in hospital.
Police recovered shell casings at the scene, but not the murder weapon. A bodyguard, 33-year-old Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, faces the same charges and appeared in court alongside him. The case was adjourned until March 3, 2026, for further investigation and a bail hearing. Both men remain in custody.
Mugabe's lawyer confirmed that a bail application would be filed next week but declined to comment further. The motive for the shooting has not been made public.