The youngest son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe is expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court alongside a 33-year-old co-accused following a shooting at the family’s Hyde Park home in Johannesburg.
Bellarmine “Chatunga” Mugabe faces charges of attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice after a 23-year-old employee was shot at the residence on Thursday. The injured man was rushed to hospital, while police launched an immediate investigation.
Authorities have confirmed that only two suspects are before court — Mugabe and an as-yet unnamed 33-year-old man.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the two suspects were arrested following the incident and will face attempted murder charges, with investigations still ongoing.
“The two men that were brought in for questioning in relation to a shooting that occurred at Hyde Park have been officially arrested and are expected to appear before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court,” Nevhuhulwi said.
Police later confirmed that Mugabe is also facing an additional charge of defeating the ends of justice.
At the centre of the case is the disappearance of the firearm allegedly used in the shooting. While cartridges were recovered at the scene, the weapon itself has not been found.
African Times has learned from a source close to the scene that the gun may have been removed shortly after the shooting, before police secured the property.
According to the source, individuals known for providing protection services to Mugabe and other foreign nationals were among the first to arrive at the residence.
“One of them took the gun,” the source alleged. “They usually provide protection and are paid by Mugabe and other foreigners.”
These claims remain unverified, and police have not confirmed whether any additional individuals are being investigated in connection with the missing firearm.
On Friday, police divers searched a murky swimming pool at the Hyde Park property in an effort to locate the weapon, but the search yielded no results.
The missing firearm could play a crucial role in the case, particularly in establishing ballistic links between the weapon and the shooting.
The source further claims that shortly after the incident, Mugabe made calls to individuals who later arrived at the scene.
“It was after those calls that the gun was taken away,” the source said.
If proven, such allegations could strengthen the state’s case regarding the charge of defeating the ends of justice.
Police have remained tight-lipped about these claims, maintaining that investigations are ongoing and that all leads are being pursued.
The motive for the shooting is still unknown.
Meanwhile, forensic teams, K9 units and Bramley detectives continue to piece together the sequence of events that led to the shooting of the young employee.
The case is expected to draw widespread attention, not only because of the high-profile nature of the accused but also due to the unanswered questions surrounding the missing firearm.
Proceedings at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court are expected to shed more light on the circumstances of the incident and whether further arrests could follow.
