Son of Robert Mugabe faces fresh charge after Hyde Park shooting

The legal storm around Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe has intensified, with Gauteng police confirming that a new charge has been added to the case against the 28 year old son of the late Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe.

Chatunga and a 33 year old co accused were taken into custody last week after a 23 year old man was allegedly shot at Mugabe’s upmarket Hyde Park residence. The incident has sparked loud conversations across Johannesburg, partly because of the family name involved and partly because it unfolded in one of the city’s most exclusive suburbs.

Court appearance expected on Monday

According to the SABC, both suspects are expected to appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. They are already facing a charge of attempted murder, but police have now confirmed that a second charge of defeating the ends of justice will be added.

Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the firearm allegedly used in the shooting is still missing, which forms the basis of the new charge.

She confirmed that the two men remain in custody and are expected to appear in court once proceedings begin.

Missing firearm raises more questions

Nevhuhulwi said the additional charge stems from the unresolved issue of the missing gun.

The disappearance of the weapon has raised speculation among residents and social media users who questioned how a firearm used in a shooting inside a high security property has not been recovered.

A case with regional interest

Because of the Mugabe legacy, the story has caught attention beyond South Africa. In Zimbabwe, online commentators weighed in with mixed reactions. Some expressed frustration that the Mugabe children continue to make headlines for the wrong reasons, while others defended Chatunga, saying details are still emerging.

The unfolding case has also renewed public interest in the family’s presence in Johannesburg. Former First Lady Grace Mugabe reportedly expressed her anger over the arrest, adding another layer of intrigue to an already sensitive matter.

What happens next

Court proceedings are expected to shed more light on what happened inside the Hyde Park property and why the suspected firearm has not been found. Police have confirmed that the investigation is still active.

As the case develops, Joburg residents will be watching closely, not only because of the Mugabe name but because it touches on broader issues of safety, accountability and high profile crime in the city.

More updates will follow as new information is released.

{Source:The South African}

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