Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe Hit With Fresh Charge As Hyde Park Shooting Case Deepens

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, is now facing an additional charge of defeating the ends of justice alongside attempted murder.

The 27-year-old is expected to make his first appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday following a shooting incident in Hyde Park last Thursday.

Police confirmed that Mugabe was arrested together with another unnamed suspect in connection with the shooting of an employee at the property.

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Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi told the national broadcaster that investigators have been unable to recover the firearm allegedly used in the incident. As a result, both accused now face the added charge.

Police Still Searching for Missing Firearm

Authorities said the gun believed to have been used during the shooting has not yet been located.

The additional charge of defeating the ends of justice stems from the disappearance of the weapon, which police believe is central to the case.

Residents in the Hyde Park area told Sowetan that gunshots are not uncommon in the neighbourhood, although they could not confirm whether previous incidents were linked to the same property.

The house is understood to be home to Mugabe and his older brother, Robert Mugabe Jnr.

The brothers have previously drawn attention for alleged lavish parties and disruptive behaviour, with reports suggesting they were earlier evicted from luxury flats in Sandton.

Mugabe Family Distances Itself from Unauthorised Statements

In a formal statement issued by Mnguni Attorneys Incorporated, the Mugabe family denied appointing any public relations representatives.

“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.

“Accordingly, 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, unauthorised, and must be disregarded in their entirety,” the firm wrote.

The attorneys further stated that no individual or entity is permitted to issue statements on behalf of the family.

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“The family further reserves all of its rights in relation to any unauthorised statements, misrepresentations, or conduct that may prejudice its interests,” the statement read.

In a separate development, Robert Mugabe Jnr appeared in court in Harare in October last year on a charge of drug possession after police reportedly stopped a vehicle travelling the wrong way down a one-way street.

Chatunga Mugabe’s court appearance on Monday is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the Hyde Park shooting as investigations continue.