JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — In a dramatic fall from grace, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe (28), the youngest son of the late Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe, was arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following a violent shooting at his residence in the upscale suburb of Hyde Park.
The Incident
South African Police Service (SAPS) units were called to the Mugabe property early Thursday morning after neighbors reported hearing “two to three gunshots.” Upon arrival, officers discovered a 23-year-old male, identified as a gardener at the residence, suffering from two gunshot wounds.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Preliminary reports suggest the shooting occurred following a heated altercation between Mugabe and the employee over a work-related dispute.
The Arrest & Police Search
Mugabe and another unidentified 33-year-old male were taken to the Bramley Police Station for questioning before being officially charged with attempted murder.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi noted that the suspects were initially “uncooperative.” A multidisciplinary team—including a K-9 unit and forensic experts—has spent the last 24 hours searching the property. While spent cartridges were recovered from the scene, the firearm used in the shooting is reportedly still missing.
A History of Legal Run-Ins
This is not Bellarmine’s first brush with the law. The Mugabe brothers, Robert Jr. and Bellarmine, have long been known for their “playboy” lifestyle in Johannesburg, often drawing criticism for their lavish spending and rowdy behavior.
- In 2023, Bellarmine was arrested in Zimbabwe for disorderly conduct.
- In late 2025, his older brother, Robert Jr., was arrested in Harare on drug-related charges.
Official Response
Family lawyer Ashley Mugiya confirmed the arrest, stating that legal teams in South Africa are preparing for a bail application. The Mugabe family, led by former First Lady Grace Mugabe, has spent significant time in South Africa since Robert Mugabe was ousted from power in 2017.
The case is expected to be heard in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court early next week. Given the high-profile nature of the suspect and the gravity of the attempted murder charge, South African media outlets are bracing for a massive courtroom spectacle.