The drama unfolded at Mugabe's residence in Hyde Park, one of Johannesburg's most exclusive northern suburbs, where property values routinely exceed millions of dollars. According to South African police, an altercation broke out between Mugabe and a 23-year-old employee believed to work as a gardener at the property .
What started as a confrontation escalated dramatically. Shots were fired. The gardener sustained a single gunshot wound and was rushed to hospital, where he remains in critical condition .
When officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrived at the scene, they found a chaotic situation. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the Gauteng Provincial police spokesperson, briefed reporters outside the property with details that raised more questions than answers .
"We did manage to find a cartridge, and that cartridge will form part of the investigation," Nevhuhulwi stated. However, the alleged murder weapon remains missing. Police deployed K9 units to search the premises, but the firearm has not been recovered .
The suspects, aged 24 and 33, have not been cooperative. "They have not told us where the gun is," Nevhuhulwi told reporters. "They are not saying anything about the gun" .
The Arrestw
While police have not officially named the suspects—standard procedure in South Africa until formal charges are filed—there was no hiding the identity of the high-profile detainee. Photographs shared by IOL News on social media clearly show Bellarmine Mugabe in handcuffs, being escorted from the property by armed officers .
A second man was also arrested in connection with the shooting. Both are expected to face attempted murder charges and will appear in court "soon," according to police statements .
Ashley Mugiya, a Zimbabwe-based lawyer representing the Mugabe family, confirmed to The Associated Press that Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe was one of the two men detained. Mugiya indicated that South African lawyers would be handling the case locally .
Family History of Controversy
This arrest adds another chapter to the Mugabe family's troubled relationship with the law. Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist for 37 years before his ouster in a 2017 military coup at the age of 93. He died in Singapore two years later, leaving behind a complicated legacy and a family that has struggled to stay out of trouble .
Bellarmine's older brother, Robert Mugabe Jr., was fined $300 in 2024 after pleading guilty to marijuana possession in Zimbabwe .
Their mother, Grace Mugabe, has her own history of legal troubles in South Africa. In 2017, while still Zimbabwe's First Lady, she was accused of assaulting a model at a luxury Johannesburg hotel, allegedly beating the woman with an electrical cord in front of her sons. She was initially ordered to appear in court but was later granted diplomatic immunity, sparking outrage in South Africa .
What Happens Next
As the gardener remains in critical condition, investigators are working to piece together exactly what triggered the violent confrontation. The motive remains unclear, and police have not revealed whether the shooting was intentional or accidental .
The missing firearm complicates the investigation. Without the weapon, ballistics testing cannot definitively link the cartridge found at the scene to a specific gun—or a specific shooter. The uncooperative attitude of the suspects suggests a challenging prosecution ahead .
For the Mugabe family, once accustomed to diplomatic immunity and presidential protection, this arrest represents a stark new reality. In South Africa, they are private citizens subject to the same laws as everyone else—a lesson that appears to be unfolding in the most dramatic way possible.
The attempted murder charge carries severe penalties in South Africa, potentially including lengthy prison sentences if convicted. As Bellarmine Mugabe prepares for his court appearance, the family that once ruled Zimbabwe finds itself, once again, facing uncomfortable questions about violence and accountability .
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Comments
Post a Comment