The youngest son of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s late former leader, has been officially charged with attempted murder after appearing briefly in a court in Johannesburg, according to BBC reports.
BBC says 28-year-old Bellarmine Mugabe was arrested after a 23-year-old man was shot and seriously injured at a house in the wealthy suburb of Hyde Park last Thursday. He was arrested together with his bodyguard, but neither of them has spoken publicly about the accusations, BBC adds.
During the court appearance, BBC reports that Bellarmine Mugabe wore black and appeared calm while proceedings were going on.
BBC explains that Bellarmine is the youngest child of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. His father ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before he was removed from power in 2017 at the age of 93. He later died in 2019, as widely reported by BBC.
Police who searched the Hyde Park property found empty bullet shells but have not yet found the gun used in the shooting, BBC says. Prosecutors have also added more charges against Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze, including “defeating the ends of justice,” which is linked to the missing firearm, according to BBC coverage.
The injured man is still in hospital and remains in critical condition, BBC reports.
Outside the court, Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, told journalists that his client was “fine” while staying in custody, BBC says.
Prosecutors allege that there was a fight between the victim and the accused inside Mugabe’s home. BBC reports that when the victim tried to run away, he was allegedly shot in the back and collapsed outside the gate, which was then closed.
The National Prosecuting Authority says the case has been postponed until 3 March, when the court will hear a bail application, according to BBC.
This case is attracting strong public attention not only because of the seriousness of the charge, but also because it involves the family of one of Africa’s most controversial and long-serving leaders.
As BBC coverage highlights, the incident shows how the lives of political families can remain in the spotlight even years after a leader’s death.
For many observers, this story is no longer about past politics but about accountability under the law in present-day South Africa, where even well-known names must go through the same legal process as ordinary citizens.
BBC continues to follow the story closely, and more details are expected to emerge when the case returns to court.
Credit: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9qk9y4d32o