Police in South Africa have arrested Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe, on suspicion of attempted murder following a reported shooting in Johannesburg.
The 28-year-old was taken into custody after a 23-year-old man, believed to be a gardener, was shot and seriously injured at a property in the upmarket suburb of Hyde Park, where Mugabe was reportedly staying.
According to police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, officers who searched the residence recovered spent bullet cartridges but did not find a firearm. Investigators say the suspects have not disclosed the whereabouts of the weapon.
The victim was shot once and remains in hospital in critical condition, authorities confirmed.
Another man has also been arrested in connection with the incident as investigations continue. Both suspects are expected to appear in court soon, police said.
Although officials have not formally named Bellarmine Mugabe in their statement, journalists at the scene reported seeing him in handcuffs, and his identity has been widely reported by local media.
Bellarmine is the youngest child of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being removed from power in 2017 and later died in 2019 at the age of 95.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
