Zimbabwe: Crime Investigator Rejects Speculation That Chatunga Mugabe Case May Be Thrown Out

27 February 2026

South Africa - Specialist crime investigator Mike Bolhuis has rejected social media claims that the criminal case against Robert Mugabe's son Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused Tobias Matonhodze might be thrown out of the court for lack of evidence.

This is due to a missing firearm allegedly used in the shooting incident.

Mugabe and Matonhodze were arrested following the shooting of an employee of the Mugabe Hyde Park property last week.

Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn

Bolhuis gives his opinion on the matter. "There is physical evidence of the shot. There is witnesses and there is a gun wound and he is critical in hospital, these are all facts and information to be presented in court. There is no other way this person finds himself in this situation without being shot by a gun. The fact remains that those who don't come forward with the gun are in big trouble. If victims lies and doesn't cooperate he is also in big trouble. This case cannot fall away. Nobody can withdraw this case and this case has to be prosecuted by the state."

Two additional charges have been added to Mugabe and Matonhodze who made their first appearance in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Monday.Both were initially only facing an attempted murder charge, but they now also face charges of possession of a firearm and defeating the ends of justice, over the missing gun which was allegedly used to shoot their gardener last week Thursday.

Their bail application is now scheduled for 3 March and both will remain in custody until that bail application.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.