The youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former president has been formally charged with attempted murder following a shooting incident in South Africa.
Bellarmine Mugabe, 28, appeared briefly before a South African court after being arrested last week in connection with a shooting at a residence in Hyde Park, an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg.
Alleged Shooting in Hyde Park
According to prosecutors, a 23-year-old man was shot and seriously injured at a property linked to Mugabe last Thursday. The victim remains in hospital in critical condition.
Police confirmed that bullet cartridges were recovered from the Hyde Park property. However, no firearm has been located so far.
Mugabe was arrested alongside his bodyguard, Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze, 33. Both men face charges of attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice — the latter charge relating to the missing firearm.
The case has been postponed until 3 March, when the accused are expected to apply for bail.
Court Appearance
Appearing in court dressed in black, Bellarmine Mugabe appeared calm throughout the brief proceedings. Neither he nor his co-accused commented publicly on the charges.
Outside court, Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, told reporters that his client was “fine” and remains in custody pending the bail hearing.
Prosecutors Outline Allegations
In a statement released by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), prosecutors alleged that an altercation took place between the accused and the victim inside Mugabe’s home.
Authorities claim that as the victim attempted to flee, he was shot in the back and collapsed outside the gate of the property. Prosecutors further allege that the gate was subsequently closed.
Investigations are ongoing, with police continuing their search for the missing firearm.
Mugabe Family Background
Bellarmine is the youngest son of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe.
Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being forced to resign in 2017 at the age of 93 following military intervention and political pressure. He died in 2019.
The latest developments have drawn significant attention in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, given the Mugabe family’s political legacy and prominence.
Bail Hearing Ahead
The court has postponed the matter to 3 March, when Mugabe and his co-accused are expected to formally apply for bail.
Until then, both men remain in custody as investigations continue.
If convicted, attempted murder carries severe penalties under South African law, and the additional charge of defeating the ends of justice could further complicate the defence case.
The outcome of the bail hearing is likely to determine whether the accused will remain behind bars as the legal process unfolds.