Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe, has been arrested alongside four other men following an alleged assault on an anti-corruption investigator during an operation targeting two luxury vehicles suspected of being illegally imported into the country.
The 29-year-old was arrested on Tuesday, November 3, following a confrontation at Brompton Guest Lodge in Highlands, Harare, where officials from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) had reportedly gone to seize two high-end vehicles.
According to Zimbabwean police, Chatunga was among five suspects taken into custody over the alleged assault, which occurred at approximately 6:30pm.
The other suspects were identified as Munashe Mubawu, 43, Terrence Johannes Chinyemba, 42, Fredson Peter, 33, and Solomon Pamire, 34.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, stating that the five men were being held in connection with the assault incident and were expected to appear in court on Thursday, November 5.
How Chatunga Mugabe Got Caught Up in Luxury Car Investigation
The incident reportedly began after ZACC investigators received information concerning two expensive vehicles believed to have been illegally retained in Zimbabwe.
The vehicles, a black Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz GLE 53, were registered in South Africa and had allegedly entered Zimbabwe under temporary import permits issued by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
However, investigators suspected that the vehicles had remained in Zimbabwe beyond their authorised periods despite official records indicating that they had exited the country.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu explained that the Lamborghini had entered Zimbabwe in June and was recorded as having left on July 12.
On the same date, the Mercedes-Benz reportedly entered Zimbabwe before official records indicated that it had exited for South Africa on October 10.
Investigators subsequently traced the vehicles to the Harare property, where they moved to seize them.
It was during the operation that a confrontation allegedly erupted, resulting in one of the commission’s investigators being assaulted.
ZACC confirmed that the officer had been attacked and that the matter had been reported to the police.
The two luxury vehicles were subsequently seized as investigations continued into their suspected illegal importation and possession.
Authorities have not established the precise role each of the five suspects allegedly played in the suspected vehicle smuggling scheme.
Chatunga’s Previous Run-ins With the Law
The latest arrest adds to a series of legal controversies involving Chatunga, who has previously attracted attention in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.
In February 2026, he was arrested in Johannesburg alongside another man following a shooting incident at his residence in which a gardener was seriously wounded.
South African police confirmed that the two men were arrested on attempted murder charges after the employee sustained a gunshot wound.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting attracted considerable attention, with authorities investigating the incident.
Chatunga was subsequently deported to Zimbabwe after immigration violations emerged during the proceedings.
He has also previously been linked to a cannabis possession case in Zimbabwe, although prosecutors withdrew the charge against him before plea and proceeded against another individual.
These incidents have kept the former president’s youngest son in the headlines, with his latest arrest once again attracting public attention.
Robert Mugabe’s Family Remains in the Public Spotlight
Chatunga is the son of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe.
His father ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, becoming one of Africa’s most influential and controversial political figures before being removed from power in November 2017 following a military intervention.
Robert Mugabe died in Singapore in September 2019, aged 95, after leaving behind a complicated political legacy that continues to shape discussions about Zimbabwe’s history.
Grace Mugabe, who served as Zimbabwe’s first lady during her husband’s presidency, and their children have also remained subjects of public interest following the former leader’s departure from power.
Chatunga’s latest arrest has therefore attracted attention beyond the alleged criminal incident, largely because of his family’s political background.
However, his father’s former position does not exempt him from the country’s legal processes.
With the five suspects expected in court on November 5, attention will now turn to the proceedings and further details surrounding the alleged assault and the investigation into the two luxury vehicles.
The suspects remain subject to the legal process, and the allegations against them have yet to be determined by a court.
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