A gardener getting shot at a Hyde Park home in Johannesburg has Robert Mugabe's son tangled up in serious criminal charges, while also reportedly living in South Africa illegally.
Bellarmine Chatunga faces a growing list of charges
Bellarmine Chatunga faces a growing list of charges
- Bellarmine Chatunga, son of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, is facing attempted murder charges in South Africa.
- Cousin Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze is co-accused on charges of unlawful firearm possession and obstruction of justice.
- Both appeared at Alexandra Magistrate's Court on February 23 over the shooting of a gardener at their Hyde Park home.
- Chatunga could pile up even more charges tied to his illegal residency status in South Africa.
- His legal team flagged a chronic medical condition during the February 23 proceedings.
- Chatunga reportedly collapsed twice while in custody before the hearing.
- A formal bail application is scheduled for March 3, and the pair is due back in court then.
- Entry into South Africa was also recently denied to Chatunga, per media reports.
- Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis told SABC News the state still backs its case even without the weapon.
- Bolhuis said a missing gun points straight at corruption among those who were on the scene.
- Everyone present during the incident needs to be thoroughly investigated, per Bolhuis.
- Charges of bribery, collusion, and intimidation could follow if the firearm stays unaccounted for.
