Mugabe Son Faints In Custody As Grace Mugabe Pushes For His Return To Zimbabwe

It has been six years since the death of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, yet his family name remains firmly in the spotlight.

On Thursday, a shooting at the Mugabe family residence in Johannesburg led to the arrest of his son, Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe (28), along with another suspect believed to be his bodyguard. Both are facing charges of attempted murder.

Police confirmed that early findings point to a possible labour-related dispute between a gardener and one of the suspects as a trigger for the incident.

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Initial reports claimed Mugabe had locked himself inside his bedroom after the gunshots rang out. However, authorities later stated that he cooperated with officers when they arrived.

Investigators recovered a cartridge at the property but have yet to locate the firearm used. The house has remained under lockdown as police continue searching for the missing weapon.

Conflicting Accounts: ‘He Shot Himself’, Mugabe Claims

According to sources cited by City Press, Mugabe told police that the injured man was not a gardener but a security guard — and alleged that the man had shot himself.

This claim contrasts with reports suggesting the victim sustained two gunshot wounds to the back.

The former first son of Zimbabwe further alleged that tension arose after he dismissed the guard for allegedly performing traditional rituals at the property.

He also claimed the missing firearm was removed by accomplices who were waiting outside the gate and took the weapon when the injured man was transported to hospital.

Police sources reportedly believe the scene may have been interfered with by friends of Mugabe who arrived before officers.

A neighbour has also alleged that the 28-year-old previously pointed a firearm at him during an encounter at a shopping mall, though there are suggestions that complaint may have been linked to an attempted scam.

Health Concerns, Grace Mugabe’s Warrant and Bail Battle

News24 reported that Mugabe fainted twice while in custody, allegedly due to a medical condition.

“We swiftly attended to him. He has revealed to us his medical condition. We immediately informed his lawyers and those close to him to quickly bring in his medication,” an officer told the publication.

Meanwhile, his mother, Grace, is said to be pushing for his return to Zimbabwe.

However, she reportedly cannot travel to South Africa due to an outstanding arrest warrant linked to an alleged 2017 assault involving a 20-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton.

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Grace Mugabe had allegedly promised to present herself at a police station before leaving the country. She was granted diplomatic immunity at the time, but that decision was later ruled unlawful and unconstitutional.

A source told City Press that she is currently in Singapore and concerned about her son’s behaviour in South Africa.

Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe is expected to appear in court on Monday, where his legal team will seek bail. However, with his mother unable to enter the country and her legal history in South Africa, questions may arise over whether he could be considered a flight risk.