Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, son of the late former president Robert Mugabe, is escorted into the Harare Magistrates’ Court. Image credit supplied
Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, has appeared in the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges of possessing dangerous drugs. The Chatunga Mugabe drugs case comes just six months after South Africa deported him following a shooting at his Johannesburg home.
Police arrested Mugabe alongside a friend. Footage shared by NewsDay Zimbabwe showed officers escorting him into court on Friday. According to Zimbabwean media, he and his alleged accomplice face charges linked to the possession of dangerous drugs.
However, authorities have not yet said what drugs police allegedly found, or where and when they made the arrest. The court has also not yet released the name of his co accused. In addition, it remains unclear whether Mugabe will apply for bail.
Background to the Chatunga Mugabe drugs case
Mugabe is no stranger to the courts. In February this year, South African police arrested him after a worker at his home in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, suffered a gunshot wound. Police also arrested his cousin, Tobias Matonhodze.
Both men later struck a plea deal. In April, the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court fined Mugabe R600 000. Of that amount, R400 000 related to pointing a firearm, and R200 000 related to living in South Africa illegally. The court then ordered his immediate deportation, and officials escorted him to OR Tambo International Airport the same evening. Matonhodze, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges, received a three year prison sentence.
The pair also agreed to pay the injured worker, Sipho Mahlangu, compensation of R400 000. According to the court, the worker wanted to withdraw the charges after receiving part of the money.
Furthermore, this is not the first drug case involving the Mugabe family. In October last year, Zimbabwean police arrested his older brother, Robert Mugabe Junior, in Harare. Officers allegedly found a small amount of cannabis in his bag after they stopped him for driving against traffic. The court later convicted him and fined him 300 US dollars.
Chatunga Bellarmine is the youngest of three children born to Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe led Zimbabwe for 37 years, first as prime minister and then as president, until the military forced him out in 2017. He died in 2019. Since then, his sons have often made headlines for brushes with the law and their lavish lifestyles.
Meanwhile, commentary across social media platforms has reacted with a mix of shock and frustration. Some users say the family’s name no longer protects them from the law. Others say the young Mugabe needs help rather than more headlines.