Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe Arrested in Harare Over Alleged Assault and Luxury Car Smuggling
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the 29-year-old youngest son of late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, was due in court following his arrest alongside four other men in connection with an alleged assault on an anti-corruption investigator and a luxury vehicle smuggling probe.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrests, stating that the incident occurred at The Brompton Guest Lodge in the Highlands suburb of Harare at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Raid, Seizure, and Alleged Assault
According to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the operation was launched to impound two high-end vehicles—a Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz—suspected of being smuggled into the country illegally.
ZACC Spokesperson Simiso Mlevu noted that a commission officer was physically attacked during the vehicle seizure. Records indicate that the Lamborghini had entered Zimbabwe in June and was logged as departing on July 12, while the Mercedes-Benz was marked as leaving for South Africa on October 10. Both vehicles were ultimately tracked down and recovered at the lodge.
Alongside Mugabe, police detained four other suspects: Solomon Pamire (34), Fredson Peter (33), Terrence Johannes Chinyemba (42), and Munashe Mubawu (43).
Legal Charges
According to police documents cited by NewZimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is listed as the complainant in the asset case. The suspects face formal charges including fraud (under Section 136 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law Act) and smuggling (as an alternative count under Section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act), alongside allegations of assault.
The group was held at the Highlands Police Station ahead of their scheduled court appearance.
A History of Legal Troubles
This arrest adds to a growing list of legal controversies for the former president’s son. Earlier this year, Mugabe faced an attempted murder charge in South Africa following a shooting incident at a residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. That case concluded in April with a plea deal at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, where he was fined R600,000 for immigration violations and pointing an object resembling a firearm, subsequently leading to his deportation. More recently, a minor drug possession charge against him in Zimbabwe was dropped prior to entering a plea after an associate took responsibility.
As investigations into the seized luxury vehicles and the alleged assault continue, neither Mugabe nor his legal representatives have issued a formal public statement regarding the fresh charges.
