Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is reportedly facing imminent deportation from South Africa after the Department of Home Affairs confirmed he is residing in the country illegally. Following his recent arrest for attempted murder in Johannesburg, official records indicate that the son of the late Zimbabwean leader failed to regularize his stay, complicating his current high-profile criminal proceedings.
- Irregular Visa Documentation: Movement records obtained by City Press indicate that he was previously turned away from
Lanseria International Airport after officials detected “irregularities” in his travel documents, which were found to be fraudulent.
- Overstaying and Illegal Status: It is alleged that he originally entered South Africa on a visitor’s visa but failed to leave, effectively becoming an illegal immigrant. Zimbabweans are typically granted a maximum of 90 days per visit.
- Conflicting Information: State prosecutors and investigators from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) suggest a “pattern of deception” where he provided conflicting information about his travel history and residency.
- Missing Credentials: In recent bail proceedings, it was revealed that Mugabe claimed he could not produce his passport because he had allegedly “left it at an embassy” while applying for a visa, a claim the state is currently verifying.
Why is Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe’s residency being questioned?
The South African Department of Home Affairs has formally confirmed that Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe does not possess a valid visa or permit to remain in South Africa. This revelation surfaced during a standard status verification following his arrest for a violent altercation at his Hyde Park residence. Investigators discovered that his previous documentation had expired, rendering him an undocumented foreign national subject to the Immigration Act.
His legal team allegedly only discovered minutes before his recent court appearance. Chatunga claimed his passport was at the embassy for a visa application, reports suggest he has lived in the country for months undocumented after being denied entry at Lanseria Airport last year.
What are the criminal charges facing Chatunga Mugabe?
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is currently facing charges of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and defeating the ends of justice. These charges stem from a February 19 incident where a 23-year-old gardener was shot in the back at Mugabe’s Johannesburg home. Prosecutors allege that Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, also committed theft by taking a gate remote from the victim after the shooting.
How does his illegal status affect his bail application?
The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated it will use Mugabe’s illegal residency status as a primary reason to oppose bail during his upcoming hearing at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Authorities argue that as an undocumented individual with a warrant of arrest in Zimbabwe, he poses a significant flight risk. The court must now weigh these immigration violations alongside the serious violent crimes he is accused of committing.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to search for the firearm used in the shooting, which remains missing despite extensive diving and K9 unit operations. Detectives are also probing whether any other individuals assisted in concealing evidence at the Hyde Park property. Meanwhile, Home Affairs officials are preparing the necessary administrative documents to facilitate his eventual deportation once the criminal trial concludes or if bail is denied.
Sequence of Events
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February 19, 2026: Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is arrested after a gardener is shot at his Hyde Park residence.
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February 23, 2026: Mugabe appears in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court where his immigration status is first flagged.
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February 28, 2026: Home Affairs officially confirms to the media that Mugabe is in South Africa illegally.
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March 1, 2026: Legal teams prepare for a high-stakes bail hearing where the state will argue he is a flight risk.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, Robert Mugabe Jr, South Africa, Home Affairs, Immigration Act, Deportation, Johannesburg, Hyde Park, Attempted Murder, Alexandra Magistrate Court, SAPS, Zimbabwe, ZANU-PF, News24, City Press
