Photo source: Facebook.com
Johannesburg | 19 February 2026
By : Themba Khumalo ( Politics News Desk)
The son of late former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been arrested in South Africa following an alleged shooting incident in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.
According to footage aired by South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC News), South African police responded to the scene aroind midday on Thursday, where a gardner was reportedly shot and seriously injured. The victim was rushed to hospital and remains in critical condition.
Video circulating on local media platforms shows Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe in handcuffs being questioned by police officers at the scene.
Who is Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe?
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe (born 1996) is a Zimbabwean businessman and the youngest son of Robert Mugabe and former First Lady Grace Mugabe. Though largely absent from formal politics, he has been associated with various business ventures, including co-launching the xGx clothing label in Johannesburg in 2017 alongside his brother.
Chatunga has previously faced legal challenges. In June 2024, he was charged in connection with multiple assault allegations in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central Province. The charges stemmed from two separate incidents, including accusations that he led an attack on security guards at Ultimate Mine in Mazowe. The guards reportedly sustained serious injuries. The matter remains part of his broader legal history.
A Family Marked by Controversy
The Mugabe family has long attracted regional and international attention.
Robert Mugabe led Zimbabwe from 1980 until his removal from office in 2017. Initially hailed as a liberation hero after leading the country to independence, his rule later became synonymous with political repression, economic decline, and human rights violations — most notably the Gukurahundi campaign of the 1980s in Matabeleland and Midlands, during which thousands of civilians were killed.
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe has also faced allegations ranging from assault incidents abroad to controversial property acquisitions and sanctions by Western governments.
Chatunga’s elder brother, Robert Mugabe Jr., has also encountered legal issues in Zimbabwe and South Africa in recent years. Meanwhile, the Mugabes’ daughter, Nyepudzayi Bona Mugabe, is a businesswoman who has largely remained outside direct political controversies but has periodically drawn public scrutiny over family wealth and property holdings.
Political Context
The Mugabe family remains politically connected in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe Jr. has been associated with the ruling ZANU-PF party and was reportedly involved in campaign activities aligned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa in recent election cycles.
It remains unclear whether the latest incident in Johannesburg carries any political implications, or whether it will be treated strictly as a criminal matter under South African law.
Investigation Ongoing
South African authorities have not yet released an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting. Police investigations are ongoing.
Azania Newswire will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
