Robert Mugabe’s Son Faces Attempted Murder Charges in South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa – Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of the late former President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, appeared in a South African court on Monday, February 23, 2026, facing charges of attempted murder. He is accused in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at his home in Johannesburg last week.

Charges and Co-Accused

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 28, appeared alongside co-accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, 33, at the Alexandra Magistrates Court. In addition to attempted murder, the two men face charges of defeating the ends of justice, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, contraventions of the Immigration Act, and theft, according to Magaboke Mohlatlole, a spokesperson for the national prosecuting authority The Guardian.

Details of the Incident

The charges stem from an incident on February 19th, where a 23-year-old man was allegedly shot in the back at Mugabe’s residence in the Hyde Park suburb of Johannesburg AP News. The victim, believed to be a gardener, remains hospitalized and was under police guard as of Monday’s hearing BBC News. According to prosecutors, the firearm allegedly used in the shooting has not yet been recovered, and the investigation is ongoing The Guardian.

Legal Representation and Next Steps

Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, declined to comment on the relationship between the two accused. He indicated he would request bail for his clients at the next hearing, scheduled for March 3 The Guardian.

Background

Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades, was ousted in a coup in 2017 and died in 2019. His wife, Grace Mugabe, has similarly faced controversy, including allegations of assault and accusations of extravagant spending, earning her the nickname “Gucci Grace.” Robert Junior, Bellarmine’s older brother, has also been in trouble with the law, facing charges of vandalism in Zimbabwe in 2023 and a cannabis possession charge last year The Guardian.

Bellarmine and Robert Junior Mugabe were known for displaying their lavish lifestyles online in the 2010s, with Bellarmine once posting a photo of a $60,000 watch on Instagram The Guardian.