By Micah Jonah, February 21, 2026
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of former Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe, has been arrested in South Africa after a gardener was shot at his Johannesburg home. Police confirmed that the employee sustained a single gunshot wound and is in critical condition. The total number of shots fired remains unclear.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the motive is not yet known and investigations are ongoing. Two men, including Mugabe, were detained and later formally arrested on charges of attempted murder. Authorities said the suspects were uncooperative and have not disclosed the location of the firearm used.
Lawyer Ashley Mugiya, representing the Mugabe family, said legal counsel in South Africa will handle the case. Bellarmine, 29, is one of two sons of Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe who sometimes reside in Johannesburg. The Mugabe family has faced several legal issues over the years, including incidents involving his older brother Robert Jr and their mother, Grace Mugabe.
Photographs from local media show Bellarmine in handcuffs being escorted by police. This incident adds to the Mugabe family’s long history of high-profile legal troubles since the late president’s death in 2019 following his ouster in a 2017 military takeover.
