Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 28, and another 33-year-old man, were taken into custody at Bramley Police Station in South Africa, facing attempted murder charges after a gardener was shot at their Hyde Park residence. The 23-year-old victim remains in critical condition in a Johannesburg hospital. The incident reportedly stemmed from an altercation regarding the gardener’s absence from work.

The arrest has brought renewed attention to the Mugabe family's legal troubles. Sources cited by SABC News correspondent Sophie Mokoena indicate that former First Lady Grace Mugabe is deeply frustrated with her children’s behavior, having previously advised them to behave. This is not the first time her children have faced legal issues; another son was arrested in Zimbabwe last year for dagga possession, and Bellarmine himself had previous court appearances in Zimbabwe. The Mugabe family is reportedly distressed by these repeated incidents.

Police investigations into the shooting have been intensive and dramatic. Despite a search that entered its second day, the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting has not been recovered. Specialized divers were summoned to the upscale property late on Thursday night to drain the swimming pool, as authorities suspected the weapon might have been disposed of there to conceal evidence. This costly operation, however, proved unsuccessful, with the gun remaining conspicuously absent, though cartridges were found at the scene.

The investigation took an even more bizarre turn when officers returning to the property witnessed a black BMW attempting to flee the scene. The vehicle, which contained the suspect's helper among its three occupants, was promptly stopped and impounded. Inside, police discovered unauthorized equipment, including white lights and a siren, typically restricted to the South African Police Service (SAPS), raising serious questions about the property's security protocols.

Following Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe’s arrest, questions emerged on social media regarding whether he could claim diplomatic status or immunity. South Africa’s Head of Public Diplomacy, Clayson Monyela, clarified that there is no automatic immunity for family members of a head of state, particularly a former president. Monyela explained that diplomatic immunity is not inherited and does not automatically extend to relatives, only applying when an individual is officially part of a diplomatic mission and performing recognized state functions. Even then, exceptions exist, such as for serious international crimes or if the individual is a national or permanent resident of the receiving country.

Political analyst and international relations expert Gideon Chitanga echoed this view, stating there are no clear legal grounds for diplomatic immunity in this case. He emphasized that Robert Mugabe was a former president and is no longer alive, and no treaties address such a situation. Chitanga stressed that diplomatic immunity is not transferable to family members based on their relationship to a former head of state, asserting, “This is a purely criminal matter.” He added that the Vienna Convention relates to state representatives, not private citizens. While Chatunga may possess a diplomatic passport issued during his father’s presidency, Chitanga clarified that such documentation does not automatically confer immunity, which is tied to official status and recognized diplomatic functions. He concluded that in strict legal terms, Bellarmine Mugabe is facing a serious situation, with the matter expected to be handled within South Africa’s judicial framework.

Bellarmine Mugabe's legal representative, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, has declined to provide details regarding the incident, stating that he is not at liberty to disclose anything at this early stage of investigations. Mnguni affirmed his team's intent to allow the police investigations to unfold and to take necessary steps to enforce his client's rights. Similarly, Mugabe family lawyer Ashel Mugiya, practicing in Zimbabwe, deferred to South African counsel, confirming the family's awareness of the arrest but declining to comment on legal proceedings outside his jurisdiction. Mugabe and his co-accused are expected to appear before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February 2026, where they will formally face attempted murder charges.