South African authorities formally charged Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late president Robert Mugabe, with attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice in connection with a shooting at his residence in Johannesburg.
Police allege that on February 19, 2026, a 23-year-old gardener employed at Mugabe’s Hyde Park home was shot and left in critical condition.
Mugabe and a 33-year-old associate were arrested shortly after the incident, and the attempted murder charge was subsequently filed when the matter appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Authorities have also charged the pair with defeating the ends of justice, citing the fact that the firearm allegedly used in the shooting has not been recovered.
READ ALSO: Mugabe Jnr Convicted for Illegal Drugs, Court to Decide Sentence
Search operations and forensic investigations remain ongoing as police seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the investigation continues and that further details are being examined.
The accused were remanded in custody after their initial appearance, and proceedings are expected to resume with a formal bail application and additional hearings.
South African authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting. Legal proceedings remain ongoing as investigators continue to gather evidence.