UPDATE: Bellarmine Mugabe to Appear in Court Monday Over Gardener Shooting

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, youngest son of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, is set to appear in Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Monday alongside a co-accused.

The two are facing attempted murder charges over the alleged shooting of a 23-year-old gardener at the Mugabe family’s Hyde Park home last Thursday.

Police continue searching for the firearm linked to the shooting, in which the gardener remains in critical condition following a dispute at the property.

Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, said the defence is waiting for the police investigation to be finalised.

“We are unable to comment further at this stage,” Mnguni said.

ALSO READ: Robert Mugabe’s Son Chatunga Charged With Attempted Murd£r In South Africa

Public opinion has been sharply divided.

Knowledge Mbewe, a Harare resident, told eNCA that if Bellarmine is found to have done wrong, he should face jail time. He said:

“He is a businessman, maybe he was attacked first by the security guard who wanted to rob him using a gun.

“In South Africa, guns are available everywhere, unregistered and registered.

“I’m not defending him, but if he shot someone because he wanted to protect himself, it’s alright. But if he was wrong, he should be jailed.”

Precious Shumba, a Zimbabwean social commentator, said the issue with Mugabe’s sons is that they appear to believe they can act with impunity.

“But this is South Africa we are talking about; they have laws, and they still value the dignity of people.

“When you are looking at his body language and the general utterances they write on social media, it shows they have failed to come down and integrate into society.

“They still think they have privileges and that they are above the law.”