In a dramatic turn of events, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s former leader Robert Mugabe, has been ordered to leave South Africa following a court ruling on immigration and firearms-related charges. This decision comes just two months after a shooting incident at the Mugabe family residence in Johannesburg, highlighting the ongoing legal troubles surrounding the Mugabe family.
Court Ruling and Charges
On 29 April 2026, a South African court fined the 28-year-old Mugabe and ordered his deportation after he pleaded guilty to charges that stem from separate incidents. Mugabe received a hefty fine of 400,000 rand (£17,851) for brandishing a toy gun in a manner that could be mistaken for a real firearm in a 2023 incident. Additionally, he was fined 200,000 rand (£8,919.50) for violating immigration laws. The magistrate directed that he be taken directly to Johannesburg’s international airport for deportation back to Zimbabwe.
The legal saga began on 19 February when an employee at the Mugabe residence, Sipho Mahlangu, was shot. Mugabe’s cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, who was also involved, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder, and was sentenced to three years in prison. The court proceedings revealed that Mahlangu had reportedly been compensated with 250,000 rand (£11,150) to withdraw his charges, along with an additional promise of 150,000 rand (£6,690).
The Mugabe Family Legacy
Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades, is a controversial figure. Initially celebrated for his role in ending white minority rule, his legacy soured as his regime descended into authoritarianism, leading to economic turmoil and hyperinflation. After being ousted in a military coup in 2017, Mugabe died two years later at the age of 95. His sons, particularly Bellarmine and Robert Junior, have garnered notoriety for their extravagant lifestyles, often flaunting their wealth on social media.
The Mugabe family has faced a series of legal challenges in recent years. In 2017, Grace Mugabe, Bellarmine’s mother, escaped prosecution in South Africa by claiming diplomatic immunity in a case involving allegations of assault against model Gabriella Engels.
Legal Context and Implications
During the sentencing, magistrate Renier Boshoff acknowledged the mitigating factors in Mugabe’s case, including the fact that both he and Matonhodze were first-time offenders and had already spent time in custody since the shooting incident. However, he also expressed skepticism regarding the circumstances of the plea deal that led to the withdrawal of charges by the victim.
The investigating officer
