Health Scare Behind Bars: Mugabe’s Son Collapses Twice As Gun Hunt Hits Dead End
Sona News • February 21, 2026
Crisis in the Cells. The high-profile attempted murder case involving Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe has taken a volatile and medical turn. The 28-year-old son of the late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe reportedly collapsed twice while in police custody on Friday night. Witnesses suggest the medical emergency occurred just hours after an intense, unsuccessful police raid at his Hyde Park residence. As paramedics were summoned to the holding cells, legal experts began questioning whether the suspect’s deteriorating condition will delay his scheduled appearance at the Alexandra Magistrates Court this Monday.
| Critical Development: Emergency medical teams were dispatched to the SAPS holding cells after Chatunga Mugabe suffered consecutive collapses. |
The Missing Weapon. Compounding the family’s legal woes is a deepening investigative deadlock. Despite the South African Police Service (SAPS) deploying forensic specialists and K-9 units back to the scene of the shooting, the firearm used in the February 19 incident remains unaccounted for. With the "gun hunt" hitting a dead end and Chatunga’s health now in question, the prosecution faces a complex challenge. Sources close to the Mugabe legal team indicate they may seek a medical postponement, potentially stalling the justice process as the victim—a gardener at the property—remains in critical condition under police protection.
Medical Fitness Update
Private medical practitioners have reportedly been requested to evaluate Chatunga's fitness to stand trial. SAPS officials maintain he is under 24-hour observation pending his Monday court date.
Panic in the Cells
According to sources close to the investigation, Chatunga collapsed on two separate occasions within a span of four hours. The first incident reportedly occurred shortly after his return from the Hyde Park search operation, while the second took place later in the evening.
Fellow detainees reportedly alerted officers when the 28-year-old slumped over and became unresponsive.
Paramedics were summoned to the police station to assess his condition. While police have not officially disclosed the cause of the medical episodes, speculation is mounting regarding extreme stress, exhaustion, or underlying health issues aggravated by the detention conditions.
He was stabilized on-site but remains under close observation.
The Search Hits a Wall
Despite a massive deployment of resources, including the draining of the property's swimming pool and the use of specialized K9 units, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has failed to locate the firearm used in the shooting.
Investigators believe the gun is the "smoking gun" needed to secure a conviction, and its absence complicates the prosecution's case.
With the Hyde Park property thoroughly combed, detectives are reportedly expanding their search radius and interrogating the suspect's known associates. There is a growing suspicion that the weapon may have been removed from the premises by a third party before the police arrived.
Victim Update
The 23-year-old gardener, whose identity is protected, remains in critical condition in a Johannesburg hospital. Medical staff have reportedly performed emergency surgery to treat gunshot wounds.
His testimony is considered crucial, but his current state prevents police from obtaining a detailed statement regarding the events leading up to the shooting.
Courtroom Drama
Chatunga and his co-accused are scheduled to appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 23. They face charges of attempted murder.
However, his recent collapse raises questions about whether the defense team will argue for a postponement on medical grounds.
Legal experts predict a fierce bail battle. The state is expected to oppose bail, citing the missing weapon and the potential for flight risk given the accused's high-profile connections and resources.
A Mother's Anguish
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe remains in Harare, unable to travel to her son's side due to her own outstanding arrest warrant in South Africa.
Sources indicate she is receiving constant updates via the family's legal team but is "distraught" over reports of her son's collapsing health in detention.
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