Remanded Until March 3: Chatunga Mugabe To Stay Behind Bars Facing Three Serious Charges
Alexandra Magistrate’s Court • February 23, 2026
No Bail Yet. In a dramatic turn of events, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, have been ordered to remain behind bars until March 3. The son of Zimbabwe’s late former president appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court today, staring down the barrel of three serious criminal charges.
| From Luxury to Lockdown: Chatunga's lavish lifestyle has been traded for a prison cell until at least March 3. |
The legal team’s hopes for a swift release were dashed as the magnitude of the allegations—including the disappearance of the weapon used to shoot a gardener—compelled the court to postpone the bail application.
The Three Charges
1. Attempted Murder
2. Defeating the Ends of Justice (Missing Gun)
3. Illegal Possession of a Firearm
Legal Troubles Deepen
The court proceedings revealed the full weight of the allegations. Chatunga (28) and Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze (33) now face three distinct counts.
The charges significantly escalate what initially appeared to be a single criminal allegation.
The primary charge stems from the alleged shooting of their gardener at the Sandhurst property.
Prosecutors argue that the evidence gathered thus far supports the seriousness of the attempted murder accusation.
The investigation has been hampered by the disappearance of the weapon allegedly used in the shooting.
Authorities say the firearm’s sudden absence raised immediate red flags and intensified scrutiny on the accused.
Due to the missing firearm, prosecutors added a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
This count directly relates to alleged interference with evidence crucial to the case.
In addition to obstruction-related allegations, the pair also face a charge of illegal possession of a firearm.
This further compounds the legal jeopardy facing the accused as investigations continue.
Collapse in Custody
It has been confirmed that Chatunga collapsed on Friday morning while in holding cells. Sources suggest he has a pre-existing medical condition.
An insider revealed: “Officers swiftly attended to him... He revealed his medical condition to them. They immediately informed his lawyers to quickly bring in his medication.” The incident has raised concerns about his well-being as he remains in state custody.
Jurisdiction Mix-Up
The day was marked by confusion even before the pair entered the dock. There was an initial mix-up regarding jurisdiction, with the suspects briefly taken to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court before being redirected to Alexandra.
The tension surrounding the high-profile case was palpable throughout the proceedings.
A Mother's Hands Tied
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe is reportedly in Singapore and desperate to intervene but unable to travel to South Africa.
Sources say she is deeply concerned about her son’s legal troubles and is seeking ways to manage the situation from abroad.
Grace Mugabe remains a fugitive from justice in South Africa due to an outstanding arrest warrant linked to the 2017 assault case involving model Gabriella Engels.
Her legal status prevents her from entering South Africa without risking immediate arrest.
A source close to the family revealed: “She is worried and wants Bellarmine back in Zimbabwe because he is misbehaving in South Africa.”
The situation highlights the strain on the Mugabe family as legal battles unfold across borders.
The case underscores complex regional legal dynamics between Zimbabwe and South Africa, particularly involving high-profile political families.
With Grace unable to travel and her son facing multiple charges, the unfolding events continue to attract regional attention.
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