Robert Mugabe’s Son Not Back In South Africa, Lawyer Dismisses Viral Midrand Photo Claims

Claims that Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, has secretly returned to South Africa have been dismissed by his legal representative. A photograph circulating widely on social media over the weekend sparked speculation that he had been spotted shopping in Midrand. His lawyer, however, says the claims are completely inaccurate.

The image, which was widely shared online, allegedly showed Mugabe at Waterfall Corner in Midrand. The renewed attention comes just months after he was sentenced in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court before being deported to Zimbabwe.

Bellarmine Mugabe Lawyer Denies South Africa Return

Bellarmine Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, has rejected reports that his client recently returned to South Africa. He described the viral image as misleading, recycled and designed to create unnecessary attention. According to Mnguni, Mugabe has not entered the country since his deportation.

“We’ve taken instructions regarding the whereabouts of Mr Mugabe, and our instructions are clear. Mr Mugabe is currently not in South Africa,” said Mnguni in an interview with the SABC.

Mnguni also refused to reveal where Mugabe is currently staying.

“I’m not at liberty to disclose where he is, but I can assure you that he’s not within the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

“My client has been banned from entering the Republic of South Africa for a period of five years because of the sentence he received. He certainly would not want to flout the laws or a court order that, in essence, bans him from entering the country. So no, he certainly hasn’t been back since late April.”

Robert Mugabe’s Son Still Barred From Entering South Africa

Bellarmine Mugabe was sentenced in April alongside his cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Renier Boshoff handed Mugabe a sentence of a R600,000 fine or 24 months’ imprisonment. Matonhodze received an effective three-year prison sentence.

Following the court ruling, Mugabe was immediately deported to Zimbabwe. Matonhodze, meanwhile, remains in custody in South Africa serving his sentence.

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Mnguni stressed that there are currently no plans for his client to seek permission to return to the country.

“Should the desire to enter South Africa arise, we will follow the proper legal channels. At this stage, it’s not something that has been communicated. As I stated earlier, there’s a five-year period during which he cannot enter the Republic of South Africa, so it’s not even under consideration,” Mnguni said.

Bellarmine Mugabe Viral Photo Described As Old And Misleading

Addressing the photograph that fuelled the latest speculation, Mnguni said it was not taken this year. While he declined to say exactly when or where it was captured, he insisted it could not be used as proof that Mugabe had returned to South Africa.

“I cannot give instructions on when the image was taken, but it certainly was not taken at any point during the course of this year.”

After being sentenced and deported in April, Bellarmine Mugabe issued a public apology to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe. He expressed regret for bringing his late father Robert Mugabe’s name into disrepute and damaging the country’s reputation.