Zim GBC News | South African Correspondent
South Africa – Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, will remain behind bars until next week after his bid for bail was denied by a magistrate court in Harare. The case has taken a dramatic turn with new charges being filed and the disappearance of a key piece of evidence—the firearm used in the incident.
Mugabe appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court today facing charges related to a shooting incident involving a gardener at his residence. However, proceedings took a complex twist when the State added a fresh charge of defeating the course of justice.
The case has been postponed to Monday, March 2, after Mugabe’s legal team requested more time to prepare following the new developments.
The Unanswered Questions
According to sources close to the investigation, several glaring inconsistencies have emerged regarding the shooting of the gardener, leaving investigators with more questions than answers.
The gardener, who was shot at the Mugabe residence, reportedly does not live on the property permanently but only comes to work during the day. Sources indicate the investigation is now zeroing in on several key contradictions in the narrative:
- Unauthorized Presence: Why was the gardener on the property at that particular time when he was not officially on duty?
- Prior Knowledge: How did the gardener allegedly know that Chatunga was not home and would only return in the morning from a night out?
- Unusual Behavior: Why was the gardener waiting outside and allegedly hiding inside? What was his intention?
- Security Concerns: Did the gardener, who had access to the premises, have a legitimate reason to be there, or was there an ulterior motive?
In his statement to the police, Chatunga Mugabe has reportedly expressed confusion over the events.
“Handisi kuziva kuti zvakafamba sei,” he stated, claiming ignorance of how the shooting unfolded.
When asked if he heard the gunshot, Mugabe confirmed he did.
“Yes, ndakanzwa ndikatizira mumba,” he stated, saying he heard the shot and fled inside the house.
Mugabe also expressed fear for his own safety, telling investigators,
“Ini ndaitotyawo kubuda, even pakasvika Police. I think vanhu ava vaida kundiuraya or kuita Robbery.”
Gardener Under Scrutiny
As the investigation unfolds, attention is turning to the gardener, who is now being pressed to explain his presence at the property.
“So Gardener uyu ndiye anofanirwa kupindura. Chikonzero chokuuya pamba apa asina mvumo, chinangwa chake chaive chei, uye aive nani? (the gardner must explain his presence without permission, he was supposed to off duty)” a source close to the probe questioned.
Legal representatives for Mugabe are demanding full answers, specifically regarding who the gardener arrived with and what his true intentions were.
New Charges Complicate Bail
The State’s decision to add a charge of defeating the ends of justice stems from a significant gap in the evidence: the gun used in the shooting has not been recovered. Investigators are still searching for the missing weapon, a development that heavily influenced the court’s decision to deny bail.
Between the missing weapon and the new charges, Mugabe’s legal team conceded they needed more time to prepare their next move, leading the magistrate to remand him in custody until next week.
Public Reaction
The news of Mugabe’s continued detention has drawn mixed reactions from the public. On social media, one user commented,
“Haa uyu Chatunga is on another level yemisikanzwa. At 28yrs, he must stop behaving like a teenager. He’s just incorrigible. I fear for him if he continues with his weird behaviors.”
For now, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe remains in custody as police work to trace the missing firearm and piece together the true sequence of events that led to the gardener being shot.
The case continues on March 2.
FOLLOW US FOR REAL-TIME UPDATES:
· X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
· Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
· TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
· Facebook: Zim GBC News
· YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
For in-depth coverage, visit our website: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2026