Johannesburg, South Africa – Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, is set to appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on. Monday 23 February 2026 facing two criminal charges, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The 28-year-old and a 33-year-old co-accused were arrested following a shooting incident at Mugabe’s Hyde Park residence in Johannesburg. Police allege that a 23-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound at the property and remains in critical condition in hospital.
Two Charges Confirmed
South African police have formally confirmed that Mugabe is now facing:
- Attempted murder, relating to the alleged shooting.
- Defeating the ends of justice, linked to the disappearance of the firearm allegedly used in the incident.
Authorities say the additional charge arose after the suspected gun could not be located. Police deployed forensic experts and sniffer dogs in an attempt to recover the missing weapon, but the search has so far yielded no results.
Investigators have confirmed that spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. However, the firearm itself remains unaccounted for, a development that has intensified the investigation.
Court Proceedings Underway
Mugabe and his co-accused are set to appear in court this morning, where the state is expected to outline the basis of both charges. The matter has drawn strong public interest in both South Africa and Zimbabwe due to the Mugabe family’s political prominence.
Police have indicated that investigations are ongoing and further details will emerge as the case proceeds through the court system.
Growing Legal Pressure
The additional charge significantly raises the stakes ahead of bail considerations and potential trial proceedings. Legal experts say defeating the ends of justice typically involves actions intended to obstruct or interfere with an investigation, which prosecutors will need to prove beyond reasonable doubt.
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