Mugabe’s son arrested in South Africa over attempted murder allegation

Police in South Africa have arrested the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former President, Robert Mugabe, over an alleged attempted murder following a reported shooting at a property in an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg.

Bellarmine Mugabe, 28, was taken into custody after a 23-year-old man, believed to be a gardener, was shot and injured at a residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.Police said officers who searched the property where Mugabe had been staying recovered bullet cartridges but no firearm.

Bellarmine Mugabe is the youngest son of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. The former Zimbabwean leader, who died in 2019, ruled the southern African country for 37 years before he was forced from power in 2017 at the age of 93.

A second man was also arrested in connection with the incident as investigations continue, police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said.The two suspects are expected to appear in court “soon”, according to a police statement.Although police have not officially named Bellarmine Mugabe as one of those arrested, journalists at the scene reported seeing him in handcuffs, and he has been widely identified by local media.

The victim remains in hospital in a critical condition after being shot once, the spokesperson added.Briefing reporters outside the Hyde Park property, Col Nevhuhulwi said the two suspects have not “told us where the gun is, they are not saying anything about the gun”.Authorities said investigations are ongoing.