Chatunga Mugabe Was Living In South Africa Illegally After Previously Being Denied Entry: Report

Johannesburg – The legal troubles for Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the 28-year-old son of late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, have deepened this week. Not only is he facing a charge of attempted murder for allegedly shooting a man in the back, but reports now confirm he is suspected of living in South Africa illegally, a status that could significantly complicate his upcoming bail application.

According to City Press, the younger Mugabe is now alleged to have been contravening the Immigration Act. The publication reports that he may have been residing in the country unlawfully, adding a serious charge to an already grim court docket. This new allegation suggests that his presence in South Africa was never regularised, raising questions about how he entered and remained in the country.

Bail Hearing Complicated By Alleged Illegal Status

Bellarmine appeared alongside his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, 33, at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February. The court heard that the two men face a litany of charges stemming from an incident on 19 February in the posh Hyde Park suburb, where a 23-year-old man was allegedly shot.

Magaboke Mohlatlole, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), detailed the full scope of the accusations against the pair.

“The state is opposing bail due to the serious nature of the charges. They face charges of attempted murder, obstructing the administration of justice, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, theft, and contraventions of the Immigration Act on suspicion of being in South Africa illegally.”

The theft charge adds a particularly callous detail to the events of that night. Mohlatlole elaborated on the state’s allegations, explaining how the victim was allegedly further violated after being shot.

“After the victim got shot, he tried to flee. He went outside of the gate and then he fell. After falling, one of the accused went and took the remote for the gate from him.”

The victim, whose identity has not been released, remains in hospital under police guard, according to police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi. The firearm used in the shooting has reportedly not yet been recovered by investigators, who have stated that their probe is “far from over.”

A Notorious Reputation For Lavish Spending

The current predicament is a far cry from the online persona Bellarmine cultivated in the 2010s. Alongside his older brother, Robert Junior, he gained notoriety for flaunting an opulent lifestyle on social media. In a now-infamous 2017 Instagram post, the younger Mugabe posted a photograph of a luxury watch on his wrist, accompanied by a caption that seemed to mock the economic hardships in his father’s Zimbabwe.

“US$60,000 (R1.1 million) on the wrist when your daddy run the whole country ya know!!!” the post read, which was quickly followed by a viral video showing him casually pouring champagne over the expensive timepiece.

This behaviour mirrored the extravagance associated with his mother, Grace Mugabe, who earned the nickname “Gucci Grace” for her reported lavish shopping sprees, including a rumoured £75,000 (R1.7 million) trip to Paris. The family’s history in South Africa is also checkered; in 2017, Grace Mugabe avoided prosecution by invoking diplomatic immunity after model Gabriella Engels accused her of assault.

Bellarmine’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, has remained tight-lipped on the specifics of the case, including whether his client is related to his co-accused. He has, however, confirmed he will formally apply for bail for both men when they return to court on Tuesday, 3 March.

During their first appearance, the court was told that Bellarmine suffers from a chronic medical condition and allegedly collapsed twice while in custody. With the new illegal immigration charge now on the table, securing that bail will be an uphill battle.