High life to handcuffs: What we know about Chatunga Mugabe

For much of his young adult life, Bellarmine ‘Chatunga’ Mugabe (28) has exuded an aura of luxury, wealth, and the carefree privilege that accompanies being the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s long-time ruler, Robert Mugabe.

However, Chatunga’s glamorous image is now intertwined with serious legal troubles, as he faces attempted murder charges in South Africa while being out on bail in Zimbabwe on separate assault allegations.

Born into the Mugabe dynasty, Chatunga grew up in the iconic ‘Blue Roof’ residence in Borrowdale, Harare.

This sprawling mansion became a symbol of elite privilege during Robert Mugabe’s 37-year reign.

Its extensive grounds and heavy security offered a stark contrast to the economic turmoil that plagued Zimbabwe, embodying the disconnect felt by ordinary citizens confronting chronic hyperinflation and unemployment.

As the Mugabe family’s fortunes unfolded, Chatunga and his older brother, Robert Mugabe Jr., gravitated towards South Africa’s affluent enclaves, particularly in Johannesburg.

Their opulent lifestyle, frequently showcased on social media, included luxury vehicles, high-end designer brands, and abundant displays of cash, inviting both fascination and criticism.

The Hyde Park residence, where Chatunga was recently arrested, is nestled in one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, with past reports linking it to the Mugabe family’s interests in Gauteng.

Following a violent incident at this property, the police seized a BMW equipped with sirens and flashing lights, prompting a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting that has thrust him into the public spotlight once again.

Chatunga’s legal entanglements extend back to at least 2025 when he was arrested following a violent altercation at a gold mining concession in Mazowe, an area intimately connected to Mugabe family assets.

He and others faced multiple assault charges, with the court consequently granting him bail to the tune of approximately US$200 (about N$3 214), a rare reprieve amidst a turbulent legal narrative.

This is not the Mugabe family’s first brush with the law in South Africa.

The saga stretches back to 2017 when Grace Mugabe faced off against charges of assaulting model Gabriella Engels, a case that intensified diplomatic tensions and ultimately saw her fleeing the country amid a botched attempt to secure diplomatic immunity.

The legal storm brewing around Chatunga is significant, both in its implications and its timing.

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