Zimbabwe Court Postpones Bail Ruling for Mugabe’s Son on Drug Charge
Robert Mugabe Junior, the 33-year-old son of the late former president Robert Gabriel Mugabe, is set to spend a second night behind bars after a Harare court postponed his bail application to Friday, 3 October 2025. He was arrested on Wednesday during a police traffic operation and is facing charges of unlawful possession of dagga.
The Arrest: A Mid-Week Traffic Stop
According to reports from ZimLive and other sources, Mugabe Jr. was intercepted on 1 October 2025 while driving a silver Honda Fit erratically and against traffic along 2nd Street Extension in Harare. After being stopped and questioned by police, a search was conducted, leading to his immediate arrest by the Drugs and Narcotics section.
Prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira detailed the findings in court. Upon searching Mugabe Jr.'s black sling bag, police officers allegedly recovered:
- Two sachets of dagga.
- One pack of Rizla rolling paper.
- A white dagga crusher.
Initial reports also mentioned the discovery of a white powder suspected to be cocaine, although this was not specified in the initial court proceedings. The seized dagga was later weighed and valued at approximately US$30.
Court Proceedings Unfold
Appearing before Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki on Thursday, 2 October, Mugabe Jr. was represented by lawyer Ashiel Mugiya. The prosecution argued against his immediate release, stating that he "acted unlawfully" and had refused to sign the seizure receipt for the items found. Consequently, he was remanded in custody, with his bail hearing postponed until Friday.
The court heard that Robert Tinotenda Mugabe Jr., who resides at 25 Budleigh Close in Helensview, Borrowdale, is currently unemployed. The case has drawn significant public attention, with scores of onlookers gathering to catch a glimpse of him being transported from Harare Central Police Station to the courthouse.
A Pattern of Legal Troubles
This is not Mugabe Jr.'s first brush with the law. In February 2023, he was arrested over allegations of malicious damage to property and assaulting a police officer at a party in Harare, where car windscreens were reportedly smashed. His lawyer at the time, also Ashiel Mugiya, argued for an out-of-court settlement, and the charges were later paused.
The incident follows the arrest of his younger brother, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, in July 2025. Chatunga was accused of leading an armed group that attacked workers at a mine near the family's Mazowe estate, leaving several people hospitalized. These high-profile arrests are seen by many political analysts as a clear sign of the Mugabe family's diminished political influence in the post-presidency era, noting that such events would have been unimaginable during their father's rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Robert Tinotenda Mugabe Jr., born in 1992, is the eldest son of the late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and former First Lady Grace Mugabe. He is a former basketball player, co-founder of the xGx clothing label, and was previously involved in Emmerson Mnangagwa's 2022 political campaign.
He has been formally charged with the unlawful possession of dagga. While initial reports from sources mentioned a "powder suspected to be cocaine," the official charge presented in court on October 2nd was related to the two grams of dagga found in his possession.
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