New Charge: Chatunga Mugabe Accused Of ‘Defeating The Ends Of Justice’ Over Missing Gun
Alexandra Magistrate’s Court • February 23, 2026
Legal Woes Deepen. The legal noose has tightened around Bellarmine “Chatunga” Mugabe. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that the son of the late Zimbabwean President is now facing an additional charge beyond attempted murder.
| Double Trouble: Mugabe now faces two serious counts as prosecutors target the missing evidence. |
As he steps into the dock today, prosecutors have added a count of defeating the ends of justice, stemming from the mysterious disappearance of the firearm used to shoot his gardener.
The New Allegation
Police allege the firearm was deliberately removed or hidden to hinder the investigation. "Defeating the ends of justice" carries serious weight in South African law.
The Case Expands
Mugabe and his co-accused were initially charged with attempted murder following the shooting of their gardener last week. However, the failure to locate the weapon has triggered further legal action.
According to SABC News, authorities have added the charge of defeating the ends of justice, directly linking the accused to the disappearance of the gun believed to have been used in the incident.
The alleged shooting occurred at the accused’s residence, with the gardener reportedly caught in a dispute. Witnesses say the incident escalated quickly, leading to police involvement.
Investigators are also looking into the relationships between the parties involved, trying to establish motive and intent.
Adding the charge of defeating the ends of justice significantly increases the legal risk for the accused. Legal experts note that tampering with evidence can carry severe penalties, separate from the original attempted murder charge.
Lawyers are also evaluating whether additional charges may be filed depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The accused appeared in court this week, with bail conditions discussed for both charges. The prosecution emphasized the seriousness of evidence tampering.
Next court dates have been set to allow further investigation and preparation by both defense and prosecution teams.
Police are still searching for the missing firearm and gathering forensic evidence. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to aid the investigation.
The investigation also includes reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses, and checking communication records linked to the accused.
Where is the Gun?
Initial reports suggested that Bellarmine Mugabe barricaded himself in his room following the shooting. While he eventually surrendered and a cartridge was found, the gun vanished.
Police now suspect the gun may have been tampered with or removed by Mugabe’s friends, who reportedly arrived first at the scene. Despite the house being under lockdown and extensive searches (including draining the pool), the firearm remains missing.
"In High Spirits"
Mugabe’s lawyer, Jason Saus, spoke to the media ahead of the appearance. He stated that his client remains in "high spirits" despite the weekend in detention.
However, Saus indicated he was not yet fully clear on the specific details surrounding the second charge relating to the missing firearm, suggesting the defense team is still reviewing the state's new allegations.
Alexandra Magistrate’s Court
Mugabe and his co-accused are expected to appear in the dock today, Monday, February 23.
They will answer to both the attempted murder charge and the new count of defeating the ends of justice. The case has drawn significant public interest given the Mugabe family's profile and the dramatic nature of the arrest.
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