Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze will spend more nights in custody after appearing in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on serious charges linked to last week’s Hyde Park shooting.
The two accused face charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and defeating the ends of justice. The case was postponed to March 3, and both men were remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The charges stem from a shooting incident at a residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, where a 23-year-old employee was shot and left in critical condition. The victim was rushed to hospital following the incident, while police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Missing Firearm Key to Investigation
A crucial aspect of the State’s case is the disappearance of the firearm allegedly used in the shooting. According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, officers recovered a cartridge at the scene. However, despite extensive searches by K9 units and forensic experts, the weapon has not yet been located.
The missing firearm is believed to underpin the charge of defeating the ends of justice. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is still in its early stages, previously describing the circumstances of the shooting as “a bit sketchy.” Detectives continue to piece together what led to the violent incident in the upmarket suburb.
Defence Responds
Ahead of the court appearance, Mugabe’s lawyer, Jason Saus, told SABC News that his client remained in “high spirits.” Saus confirmed that the defence team had visited Mugabe several times over the weekend and was continuing to take instructions.
He added that the defence had not been formally notified of the charge relating to defeating the ends of justice prior to the court proceedings. Saus declined to comment further, saying they did not want to compromise the ongoing investigation.
### Broader Legal Troubles
Chatunga, 28, is the youngest son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. His latest legal challenges in South Africa add to previous troubles across the border.
In 2025, he was arrested in Zimbabwe following a violent confrontation at a gold mining concession in Mazowe. He was later granted bail on assault-related charges, a matter that remains unresolved.
The Hyde Park case has also revived memories of a high-profile 2017 incident involving his mother, Grace Mugabe. She was accused of assaulting South African model Gabriella Engels during a visit to Johannesburg. The matter escalated into a diplomatic dispute after then Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane granted Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity — a decision later overturned by the High Court.
As investigations into the Hyde Park shooting continue, attention remains fixed on the missing firearm and the condition of the injured employee. Proceedings are set to resume on the postponed date, when the court is expected to hear further developments in the case.
About the Author
