Robert Mugabe’s son Chatunga arrested after Hyde Park shooting leaves gardener critically injured

By IOL News

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng said two men have been taken in for questioning following the shooting of a gardener at an upmarket Hyde Park residence in Johannesburg, where Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of former president Robert Mugabe, resides.

“The circumstances of the shooting at this stage are still a bit sketchy. As you can see, we have our police units here conducting preliminary investigations.

“We also have our dog unit currently searching the house for the firearm that is alleged to have been used to shoot the individual,” Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi told journalists at the property.

“At the moment, we will be taking two people into custody. Their ages are 33 and 24. They will be taken in for questioning so that we can determine what actually happened and what led to the shooting,” she said.

Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the firearm had not yet been located and that police were extensively searching the residence.

“We did manage to find a cartridge, and that cartridge will form part of the investigation,” she added.

A lengthy negotiation process took place after the occupants of the residence initially refused to open the property to police following the shooting.

Police have not yet officially confirmed the identity of the alleged shooter. Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the victim is employed at the premises as a gardener and that the suspects are expected to face charges of attempted murder.

“The victim has been taken to the hospital. It was indicated that he is in a critical condition, but we are hoping that he will be fine,” she said.

The incident is the latest to place Mugabe in the spotlight in South Africa. In 2023, IOL reported that he was accused of assault following an altercation at a Sandton nightclub. At the time, police confirmed that a case had been opened, although the outcome was not publicly disclosed.

He has also previously drawn public attention on social media for displaying large amounts of cash and luxury vehicles, sparking debate about his lifestyle while living in South Africa.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.