Police Question Mugabe’s Son After Hyde Park Shooting Shakes Up One of Joburg’s Wealthiest Suburbs

Hyde Park woke up to flashing blue lights and a heavy police presence on Wednesday after a shooting at the home of Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. What began as a routine security callout quickly escalated into a high-stakes standoff that has left one man fighting for his life and residents stunned by the unusual disruption in one of Joburg’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

A Luxury Property, A Shooting, And A Barricaded Room

According to early police reports, a security officer employed by the Mugabe family was shot on the property. Details about what led to the gunfire remain unclear, but the injured guard was reportedly critical.

When officers arrived at the Hyde Park home, they were met with unexpected resistance. Bellarmine Mugabe, 29, allegedly barricaded himself inside a room and refused to open the property’s gates. This triggered an urgent call for specialised backup.

Special Task Force Called In

In a scene that neighbours described as surreal, members of the elite SAPS Special Task Force arrived along with hostage negotiators. Their presence signalled that authorities were treating the situation as a potentially volatile and high-risk incident.

After a tense period, Mugabe eventually opened the gates. He and another unidentified individual were taken into police custody and photographed in handcuffs inside the sprawling estate.

Joburg Reacts To Another High-Profile Suburban Scare

The shooting has ignited conversation across Johannesburg, especially among Hyde Park and Sandton residents who are used to high walls but not high drama.
Many locals took to community WhatsApp groups to express shock that such a high-profile family has become entangled in the kind of violent incident usually associated with other parts of the city.

A Rosebank resident wrote, “Hyde Park feels like a different world, but today was a reminder that violence finds its way everywhere.”

On social media, reactions were mixed. Some expressed concern for the injured security guard, while others questioned why the Special Task Force had to negotiate entry onto the premises.

Who Is Bellarmine Mugabe?

While public attention often centres on the Mugabe family’s legacy in Zimbabwe, Bellarmine has largely avoided the limelight compared to his brothers. His connection to a high-security estate in Hyde Park speaks to the influential circle the family still moves in across southern Africa.

This incident, however, places him squarely in the public eye.

Police Expected To Brief Media

SAPS officials remained on the scene throughout the day and are expected to brief the media once preliminary investigations are complete. For now, authorities have confirmed only that they are questioning those involved and piecing together what led to the shooting.

What began as a quiet weekday morning in Hyde Park ended with questions swirling around one of Africa’s most recognisable political families. With investigations ongoing, Joburg waits for clarity on an incident that unfolded behind high walls but captured the city’s attention.

{Source:EWN}

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