Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporter
ONE of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s sons, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, was photographed being escorted by South African police in handcuffs following a shooting incident at a private residence in Gauteng yesterday.
Dressed in a black outfit, Chatunga Mugabe was flanked by police officers as he was led away from the high-walled property where a gardener was allegedly shot during an altercation.
His hands were cuffed as officers guided him toward a waiting police vehicle.
The dramatic scene unfolded after police were alerted to reports of a shooting at the residence.
During an interview with South African media, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwani confirmed that officers responded to information provided by security personnel stationed at the property.
“We were stopped by security who indicated that there was a shooting in this house. Our members had to knock in order to gain entry. Initially, the occupants did not want to come outside, but police eventually gained access,” she said.
Col Nevhuhulwani confirmed that two men, aged 33 and 28, were inside the house at the time of the incident and are being taken in for questioning in connection with an attempted murder case.
“At the moment, we will be taking two people into custody. They will be taken in for questioning so that we can determine what happened and what led to the shooting,” she said.
Police are still searching for the firearm allegedly used in the incident.
“Our dog unit is currently inside searching the house for the firearm. We don’t have the firearm at this stage, but we did manage to recover a cartridge in the yard, which will form part of the investigation,” she added.
The victim, described as a gardener employed at the property, was rushed to hospital and is said to be in critical condition.
“It is reported that he is a gardener of this yard, not a security guard. He is being taken to hospital. We were informed that he is in a critical condition, but we are hoping that he will recover,” said Col Nevhuhulwani.
Preliminary reports indicate that the shooting may have been preceded by a dispute after the gardener allegedly failed to report for duty.
“It was alleged that there was some sort of a squabble. Those reports will form part of our investigation as we establish what actually happened and what led to the shooting,” she said.
