The son of Zimbabwe’s late former president, Robert Mugabe, will spend at least another week in custody after appearing in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges related to the shooting of a gardener at the family’s Hyde Park residence.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 29, and his co-accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, 33, face charges of attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The case was postponed until 3 March, when the pair are expected to formally apply for bail .
The court appearance got off to a rocky start after the suspects were initially taken to the wrong court. Their lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, explained: “Seems that they were taken to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court instead of the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, and, of course, the magistrate wasn’t too pleased about that. It was rectified and they were ultimately brought before the court” .
The Missing Weapon
Central to the state’s case is the firearm allegedly used in the shooting, which police have been unable to locate despite extensive searches. The missing weapon prompted the additional charge of defeating the ends of justice .
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that while cartridges were recovered at the scene, the gun itself remains missing. “It will be for attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice since the firearm has not been found,” she said .
The state has indicated it will oppose bail and must still verify the accused’s immigration status .
Family Speaks Out
The Mugabe family has distanced itself from unauthorised media commentary, with Mnguni Attorneys issuing a statement clarifying that no spokesperson has been appointed.
“The family wishes to state unequivocally that it has neither appointed, authorised, nor mandated any public relations firm, media consultant, spokesperson, or other third party to speak on its behalf,” the statement read. “Any statements, commentary, or representations made by any individual or entity claiming to act for, represent, or speak on behalf of the family are false” .
The Incident
The charges stem from an incident last Thursday at the Mugabe residence in Hyde Park, where a 23-year-old gardener was shot and critically injured . Police have described the circumstances as “sketchy” but confirmed there was an “altercation” before the shooting .
Security camera footage from a neighbouring property reportedly captured the moment the victim fell in the street after sustaining a gunshot wound .
A History of Controversy
The younger Mugabe is no stranger to legal trouble. In 2025, he was arrested in Zimbabwe following a violent confrontation at a gold mining concession in Mazowe and granted bail on assault-related chargesa matter that remains unresolved .
The Hyde Park case has also revived memories of an incident nine years ago when his mother, Grace Mugabe, allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old South African woman at a Sandton hotel. That incident sparked a diplomatic dispute after then-minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane granted her diplomatic immunitya decision later overturned by the High Court . Grace Mugabe reportedly has a pending warrant of arrest in South Africa stemming from that case .
Neighbours in the upscale Hyde Park area have claimed that gunshots from the Mugabe residence are not uncommon, with one security guard telling reporters he had heard shots several months ago .
What’s Next
Both men remain in custody pending their 3 March court appearance. The bail hearing is expected to draw significant attention, given the high-profile nature of the accused and the serious charges they face. Meanwhile, the critically injured gardener remains hospitalised, and the hunt for the missing weapon continues.
