Court papers reveal new details in Bellarmine Mugabe’s case

Court papers have revealed new details surrounding the alleged robbery and assault case involving Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on 5 November alongside four co-accused following their arrest over an alleged incident at Brompton Guest Lodge in Harare.

The five accused persons are facing allegations of robbery and malicious damage to property.

They were remanded in custody until the following day for a bail application.

Security guard allegedly attacked

According to the State’s case, the incident occurred on 3 November 2026 at approximately 18:30 when security guard Lloyd Panyika Mapanduki, 42, was on duty at the guest lodge.

The court heard that the five accused, who were also booked at the establishment, allegedly confronted Mapanduki before assaulting him without provocation.

The State alleges that the group attacked the security guard using open hands and broomsticks, leaving him with a deep cut on his forehead.

He reportedly bled profusely following the alleged assault and was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention.

Mugabe’s case involves allegedly stolen loaded firearm

The court papers further reveal that one of the accused allegedly forcibly took Mapanduki’s loaded service pistol during the confrontation.

The accused persons are also alleged to have taken the security guard’s Samsung A56 cellphone before smashing it against the ground.

A police report was subsequently filed, leading to the arrest of the five men.

The State told the court that some of the allegedly stolen property was recovered from the accused persons.

The service pistol was reportedly found in the possession of one of the co-accused, Terrence Johannes Chinyemba.

Four others appear alongside Mugabe

Chatunga was arrested alongside Chinyemba, Fredson Peter, Solomon Pamire and Munashe Mubhawo.

The five appeared before magistrate Kuhudzai, with Mugabe being represented by lawyers Tabison Bvekwa and Theophilus Mubhemi.

The matter was postponed to allow the accused persons to make a bail application.

The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and all five accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.