Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe's late former president Robert Mugabe, has been arrested alongside four other people for allegedly assaulting a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officer. The incident occurred during an operation to seize two luxury vehicles suspected of being illegally imported. The vehicles, a Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz GLE, were seized at a Newlands lodge in Harare on suspicion of entering Zimbabwe under temporary import permits but not being properly accounted for.
According to a source who spoke to Nehanda Radio on condition of anonymity, the vehicles belonged to Chatunga Mugabe, although ZACC has not publicly confirmed their ownership. ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu confirmed that one of the commission's officers was assaulted during the operation and that the incident had been reported to the police. The ZACC officer allegedly assaulted was part of the team that seized the vehicles.
The Lamborghini Urus and Mercedes-Benz GLE were recorded as having left Zimbabwe, but were found at the Newlands lodge, prompting ZACC to seize them while investigations continued. The Lamborghini entered Zimbabwe in June and was recorded as having left the country on July 12. The Mercedes-Benz reportedly entered Zimbabwe on the same date and was recorded as having departed for South Africa on October 10.
ZACC has not publicly identified the person who allegedly assaulted its officer or confirmed the reported arrests. Chatunga Mugabe's lawyer, Simbarashe Mukwekwezeka, previously represented him in a separate case involving allegations of possessing dangerous drugs. Prosecutors withdrew the charge before Chatunga entered a plea, after his friend, Max Mugaba, reportedly accepted responsibility for 72 grammes of cannabis allegedly recovered during a police search.
Earlier this year, Chatunga Mugabe was arrested in South Africa following an incident at a residence in Johannesburg's Hyde Park suburb in which an employee was shot and wounded. Under a plea agreement, Chatunga pleaded guilty to pointing an object resembling a firearm and contravening South Africa's immigration laws. He was fined a total of R600,000 and ordered to be deported to Zimbabwe.
His co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice and an immigration offence. He was sentenced to three years in prison. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two luxury vehicles and the alleged assault on the ZACC officer are continuing.
The incident has sparked widespread attention, with many calling for accountability and transparency in the investigations. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and ZACC are working together to uncover the truth behind the alleged assault and the importation of the luxury vehicles.
Key points
- Chatunga Mugabe, youngest son of Zimbabwe's late president Robert Mugabe, arrested for allegedly assaulting a ZACC officer.
- Two luxury vehicles, a Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz GLE, seized at a Newlands lodge on suspicion of being illegally imported.
- Chatunga Mugabe previously faced charges in South Africa and Zimbabwe, including allegations of possessing dangerous drugs and contravening immigration laws.
