Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, has been released on US$200 bail following his arrest over two separate violent incidents in Mazowe, including an alleged brutal assault involving AK-47-toting bodyguards.
The 28-year-old appeared at Concession Magistrates Court on Tuesday, facing charges stemming from a June 25 attack on five security guards at Ultimate Mine. Chatunga reportedly accused the guards of shielding artisanal miners trespassing near his family’s Mazowe farm.
It was not until June 30, however, that police arrested him this time over a second incident in which a school groundsman, believed to have ties to Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, was allegedly assaulted after being mistaken for a threat.
Prosecutors say Chatunga, accompanied by his bodyguards Tinashe Mupawo (40) and Brenan Mateko (26), attacked Jorum Ngirazi, a staffer at Annaph Secondary School. Ngirazi was reportedly grabbed by the collar and slapped before his phone was destroyed during the scuffle. Though not visibly injured, he later reported a persistent headache.
In the earlier mine-related attack, the five victims Ntandoyokuza Nyati, Philip Chipara, Elvis Bvumbe, Collen Muchemwa, and Waddington Mutadza were allegedly assaulted with iron bars, logs, and fists. One of them sustained a fractured skull. A gunshot was reportedly fired during the altercation.
Police summoned Chatunga after the mine incident, but he allegedly boasted: “I’m the real President’s son. I’m untouchable.”
Despite the severity of the allegations, prosecutors did not oppose bail. Chatunga and his co-accused were ordered to report weekly to Borrowdale Police Station, reside at their listed addresses, and avoid interfering with state witnesses.
The court scheduled hearings for July 11, 15, and 17, marking the start of three separate assault trials.
Meanwhile, Chatunga has filed a counter-complaint, alleging one of the victims tripped and injured him during the confrontation at Ultimate Mine.
