The investigation into the chilling shooting incident involving Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, is unfolding as police confirm they are actively searching for the firearm allegedly used in the crime.
The harrowing event took place in the upscale Hyde Park neighborhood, north of Johannesburg, where Chatunga is currently residing. Reports state that he allegedly shot a 23-year-old gardener on Thursday, leaving the man in critical condition at a local hospital.
Chatunga Mugabe, now 28, is slated to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Monday to face charges of attempted murder. His arrest occurred at his residence shortly after the shooting, raising eyebrows and prompting the Mugabe family to publicly distance themselves from the flood of statements circulating in the media. In a formal statement issued by their legal team, they expressed deep concern over the misinformation being spread, making it clear that these communications do not reflect their perspective.
Authorities sprang into action after being alerted to the shooting at the Mugabe residence. Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene, with police swiftly arriving to find the injured gardener. Officers collected bullet cartridges from the site, but the gun involved in the incident remains elusive.
Adding another layer to this unfolding drama, reports indicate that a man identified as Chatunga’s bodyguard has also been detained for questioning amid the investigation.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the police spokesperson, confirmed the rapid response by officers after private security personnel flagged them down upon discovering the wounded man. “When we arrived at the scene, we found the man injured,” she stated.
A reliable source revealed that the victim was rushed to the hospital, where medical teams are working diligently to stabilize his critical condition. While evidence continues to be assembled from the scene, including a cartridge found near the incident, the search for the weapon remains ongoing. With two suspects now in custody, all eyes are on the Alexandra Magistrates Court as this gripping case continues to develop.