Prominance Sinomusa Khumalo
Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe, has ignited fresh scrutiny after acquiring a high-performance McLaren sports car, underscoring the family’s enduring affinity for luxury despite efforts to maintain a low profile .
The 28-year-old’s latest purchase—a sleek McLaren 570s or its sibling model, the 540c—was revealed through an Instagram post by user toshfranklin, who congratulated Mugabe on the acquisition.
Chatunga briefly shared the post to his Instagram Stories before deleting it, though gossip blog Mafaro preserved and republished the screenshot .
The McLaren 570s, produced between 2015 and 2021, is renowned for its racing pedigree, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just over three seconds with a top speed of 199 mph.
Its lightweight design and race-style suspension make it a favorite among luxury car enthusiasts. The 2021 model initially retailed for approximately $191,100 .
The 540c, though discontinued in 2021, remains a coveted model. When new, custom specs pushed its price as high as $386,000. Resale values vary widely, with a 2017 model listed on Classic.com averaging $100,211 and another in France priced at $178,423 .
While the Mugabe family has largely avoided public attention in recent years, glimpses of their lavish lifestyle periodically resurface, often through social media leaks. This latest acquisition follows a history of high-profile spending, including past purchases of Rolls-Royces, Range Rovers, and luxury shopping sprees during Zimbabwe’s economic crises .
Critics have long questioned the sources of the family’s wealth, particularly amid widespread poverty in Zimbabwe. The timing of this purchase—against a backdrop of ongoing economic challenges—has reignited debates about inequality and accountability for political elites .
While current public responses to the McLaren purchase remain muted compared to past controversies, social media users have drawn parallels to earlier displays of affluence.
During a 2017 UN General Assembly trip, for instance, Chatunga was photographed shopping for luxury goods in New York while his father, the late president, reportedly napped during proceedings—a moment that drew sharp rebukes from citizens .
No official inquiries into the acquisition have been announced.
However, analysts suggest the transaction could fuel renewed calls for transparency regarding the Mugabe family’s finances, particularly given unresolved questions about Zimbabwe’s “missing” diamond revenues .
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