The youngest child of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe was being held by police on Thursday after a gardener was shot at the family’s home in Johannesburg, prompting South African authorities to open an attempted murder case.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said two men, aged 33 and 24, were detained for questioning, though she did not name them.
South African news outlets identified one of the men as Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 29, and circulating photos showed him in handcuffs with officers. The gardener was wounded by gunfire at the property in an affluent area north of Johannesburg and is in a serious condition.
“The details surrounding the shooting are still somewhat unclear,” Nevhuhulwi said, noting investigators are trying to establish a motive.
Background on the family
The Mugabe siblings, Robert Jr and Bellarmine, have gained a reputation in Johannesburg for their party‑centric lifestyle. Their mother, Grace often referred to as “Gucci Grace” has previously faced assault claims in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In October, Robert Jr appeared in a Harare courtroom on charges of possessing cannabis, charges he contests.