The Unravelling Dynasty: A Timeline Of The Mugabe Brothers’ Descent Into Chaos
Harare & Johannesburg • February 20, 2026
Stripped of Protection. For decades, the name "Mugabe" served as an impenetrable shield against the consequences of the law, but the era of political immunity has officially evaporated. Under the current administration, the former "untouchables" are facing unprecedented legal scrutiny across the region. The collapse of this diplomatic safety net was most recently highlighted by the arrest of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe (28) in Johannesburg on February 19, 2026. Charged with attempted murder following a shooting incident at his luxury Hyde Park residence, Chatunga now faces the Alexandra Magistrates Court without the state protection that once characterized his family's 37-year reign.
| A Pattern of Chaos: The brothers have moved from lavish parties to police holding cells across two countries. |
The family's legal woes extend beyond South Africa, with Robert Mugabe Jr. (33) also facing the Zimbabwean judiciary. Following a high-profile drug bust in Mbare, Robert Jr. was recently convicted of unlawful possession of cannabis and multiple traffic offenses, signaling a stern "zero tolerance" policy from Harare authorities. From armed altercations in upscale suburbs to criminal convictions in the capital, these developments mark a definitive shift in the Mugabe family legacy. As Grace Mugabe remains grounded in Zimbabwe due to her own outstanding warrants, the once-shielded siblings must now navigate the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Zimbabwean courts as private citizens, subject to the full weight of the law.
Bellarmine Chatunga: Escalating Violence
The most severe charge to date involves an attempted murder case in Johannesburg. On February 19, 2026, Chatunga was arrested at his Hyde Park residence after a shooting that left a 23-year-old gardener in critical condition.
Witness reports describe a "heated argument" spiraling out of control before multiple shots were fired. In a dramatic turn, Chatunga allegedly barricaded himself in a room, requiring intervention from the SAPS Special Task Force and hostage negotiators before he finally surrendered. He and a co-accused are set for court on February 23.
In a terrifying display of force, Chatunga faced five counts of assault connected to a dispute at Ultimate Mining near the family’s Mazowe farm. He was accused of leading a group of men—some reportedly armed with AK-47 assault rifles—to attack security guards.
The victims were subjected to a brutal ordeal, reportedly beaten with wooden logs and an iron bar after a gunshot was fired at the property boundary to intimidate them.
Prior to the mining incident, Chatunga was charged with disorderly conduct and assault in Zimbabwe. The charges stemmed from an altercation at a police roadblock where he allegedly used a stun gun on a truck driver during a confrontation.
Robert Jr: Drugs & Destruction
Robert Jr.'s legal woes have largely centered on substance abuse and reckless behavior. In late 2025, he was found guilty of possessing two grams of cannabis and a grinder after police stopped him for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Harare.
He was ordered to pay a US$300 fine. During the trial, his lawyer attempted to deflect blame, claiming the drugs belonged to other passengers and accusing the police of "inflating" the quantity from a negligible 0.02g to 2g.
In early 2023, Robert Jr. was arrested for malicious damage to property following a chaotic party in Harare. He allegedly caused $12,000 worth of damage to vehicles and property in a fit of rage.
Witnesses at the scene reported that he even spat at a police officer during the arrest. The criminal case was eventually resolved through an out-of-court settlement with the complainant, who was identified as a personal friend.
The Matriarch's Dilemma
Adding to the family crisis is the legal paralysis of their mother, Grace Mugabe. Despite her son Chatunga's critical situation in a Johannesburg jail, she reportedly cannot travel to South Africa to support him.
An outstanding warrant of arrest from 2017 remains active. This stems from her infamous alleged assault of model Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cord in a Sandton hotel. Following the overturning of her diplomatic immunity by South African courts, she risks immediate arrest upon entering the country.
End of "Untouchability"
Political analysts view this wave of arrests as a definitive signal that the Mugabe family's era of protection is over. During Robert Mugabe's 37-year reign, his sons’ indiscretions were often swept under the carpet.
Under the administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the "untouchable" status has vanished. The frequency and severity of these charges—ranging from drug possession to attempted murder—reveal a family now fully exposed to the mechanisms of the justice system they once stood above.
Recent court appearances suggest that prosecutors are pursuing cases with greater assertiveness than in previous decades. Bail conditions, formal indictments, and public hearings indicate a process now unfolding under greater scrutiny.
This shift underscores a broader attempt to project judicial independence and restore public confidence in the rule of law.
Public sentiment has been sharply divided. Some citizens see the arrests as long-overdue accountability, while others interpret them as politically motivated maneuvers within ruling elite circles.
On social media and in civic discourse, the debate reflects broader tensions about governance, legacy, and justice in post-Mugabe Zimbabwe.
The unfolding events have reignited discussions about the Mugabe era and its long-term impact on Zimbabwe’s political culture. Analysts argue that the current prosecutions may symbolize an effort to redefine power structures.
Whether this moment represents genuine reform or strategic repositioning remains an open question—but the aura of invincibility has clearly diminished.
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