JOHANNESBURG — The ghosts of Zimbabwe’s former ruling family have returned to the headlines in spectacular, violent fashion.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe, was arrested Thursday, February 19, following a shooting at his luxury residence in the upmarket Hyde Park suburb of Johannesburg. The 28-year-old now faces a charge of attempted murder after an employee at the home—identified by local media as a gardener—was left fighting for his life.
The incident marks a grim new chapter for the “Mugabe princes,” whose reputations for champagne-fueled excess and legal entanglements have long made them lightning rods for controversy in both Harare and South Africa.
The Hyde Park Standoff
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the violence erupted during a domestic dispute at the younger Mugabe’s high-walled villa. Neighbours reported hearing two to three gunshots echoing through the quiet, affluent street.
When police arrived at the scene, the situation escalated into a tense two-hour standoff.
- The Refusal: Mugabe and a 33-year-old friend reportedly locked themselves inside the house, refusing to cooperate with initial police commands.
- The Arrest: Following negotiations, both men were taken into custody. Images shared by local outlets showed Mugabe in handcuffs, his face partially obscured, being escorted to a police van.
- The Victim: A 23-year-old employee was found with at least one gunshot wound and remains in critical condition at a Johannesburg hospital.
“The suspects were uncooperative and have not yet told us where the firearm is hidden,” said SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi. “We are currently utilizing K9 units and divers to search the property’s pool and grounds for the weapon.”
A Pattern of ‘Princely’ Immunity?
For South Africans, the arrest is a searing reminder of the 2017 scandal involving Bellarmine’s mother, Grace Mugabe. The former First Lady was accused of assaulting a young model with an extension cord at a Sandton hotel—an incident Bellarmine was present for. While Grace was initially granted diplomatic immunity and allowed to flee back to Zimbabwe, that immunity was later overturned by South African courts.
The Mugabe sons—Bellarmine and his older brother, Robert Jr.—have lived a nomadic, high-flying lifestyle since their father was deposed in a 2017 military coup.
- October 2025: Robert Jr. was arrested in Harare on charges of drug possession (cannabis and cocaine), though he has denied the allegations.
- The ‘Party’ Legacy: In Johannesburg, the brothers are known for their regular appearances in the city’s most exclusive VIP lounges, often surrounded by expensive security details and luxury cars.
The Legal Horizon
The younger Mugabe is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court as early as Friday. Given the nature of the charge—attempted murder—and the police report of non-cooperation, legal experts suggest a bail application will be vigorously opposed by the state.
As the “Year of the Fire Horse” begins with a burst of violence for the Mugabe clan, the family’s Zimbabwean lawyer, Ashley Mugiya, confirmed that a South African legal team has been dispatched to handle the case.
For a family that once ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist, the sight of the youngest son in a South African jail cell serves as a stark symbol of a fallen dynasty. In the elite enclaves of Johannesburg, the “Mugabe name” no longer commands fear—only the flash of police lights and the click of handcuffs.