In a significant development, a son of the late Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has been detained in South Africa for questioning regarding a shooting incident at a house in Johannesburg. According to a lawyer representing the Mugabe family, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe was one of two men taken into custody on Thursday, as confirmed by legal counsel Ashley Mugiya in statements to The Associated Press.
Details of the Shooting and Detention
The incident occurred at the younger Mugabe's residence, located in an affluent suburb of Johannesburg. South African national broadcaster SABC reported that Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe was seen in handcuffs in the driveway after police arrived at the scene. Authorities stated that an employee at the house, identified as the gardener, sustained a single gunshot wound and is in critical condition, though the total number of shots fired remains unclear.
Police are investigating the case as attempted murder and have taken two men in for questioning, though they have not publicly named them. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a police spokesperson, told reporters from the scene that the detained individuals were uncooperative during the initial investigation. "They have not told us where the gun is," Nevhuhulwi said, adding, "We cannot definitely say who shot."
Background and Family History
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is the youngest son of Robert Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for 37 years before being deposed in a 2017 coup and dying in 2019 at age 95. His mother is Grace Mugabe, the former first lady of Zimbabwe. The Mugabe family has a history of involvement in criminal cases, including previous incidents in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
For instance, Grace Mugabe was accused of assaulting a model with an electrical cord at a luxury Johannesburg hotel in 2017, though she later received diplomatic immunity. Additionally, Bellarmine's older brother, Robert Mugabe Jr., was fined $300 last year after admitting to possession of marijuana in Zimbabwe.
Ashley Mugiya, the family lawyer based in Zimbabwe, indicated that legal representation in South Africa would be arranged for Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe in this case. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, with police describing it as stemming from an "altercation" but remaining unclear on specifics.
This incident adds to the ongoing legal and public scrutiny surrounding the Mugabe family, highlighting their continued presence in international news despite the former president's death.
