Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporter
A son of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is at the centre of an attempted murder investigation in South Africa after a gardener was allegedly shot at a private residence in Gauteng.
Police confirmed that two men, aged 33 and 28, are being taken in for questioning following the shooting, which reportedly occurred after an altercation at the property.
Speaking to the media in South Africa outside the scene of the incident on Thursday, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakats0 Nevhuhulwani said officers were called to the scene after security alerted them to a shooting inside the high-walled residence. She said it was a gardener instead of a guard as previously reported.
“We were stopped by security who indicated that there was a shooting in this house,” said Colonel Nevhuhulwani.
“Indeed, our members had to knock in order to gain entry. They arrived earlier and the occupants did not want to come outside at first, but eventually police gained access.”
She confirmed that police are currently searching the house for the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
“At the moment, we do not have the firearm. Our dog unit is inside the premises searching for it. However, we did manage to find a cartridge in the yard, and that will form part of the investigation,” she said.
The two men who were inside the house at the time of the incident are expected to be taken into custody for questioning as investigations continue.
“They are cooperating with police officials. They will be taken in so that we can determine what happened during the shooting and what led to it,” said Colonel Nevhuhulwani.
The victim, described as a gardener employed at the residence, was rushed to hospital and is reportedly in critical condition.
“It is reported that he is a gardener of this yard, not a security guard. He is currently being taken to hospital. We were informed that he is in a critical condition, but we are hoping that he will be fine,” she said.
Police are still establishing how many shots were fired.
“For now, we do not know how many shots were discharged. That will form part of the investigation,” she added.
Preliminary reports suggest that the shooting may have followed a dispute.
“It was alleged that the gardener did not come to work and there was some sort of a squabble. Those are the reports we received, and that will form part of our investigation as we unravel what actually happened and what led to the shooting,” said the spokesperson.
Colonel Nevhuhulwani The case is being investigated as attempted murder, with authorities expected to provide further details once the suspects have been formally processed and statements recorded.
