The son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, Chatunga Bellarmine (27), was arrested yesterday after a scuffle with police officers at a security checkpoint in Bubi, 80km from the border town of Beitbridge.
He was reportedly travelling in a South African registered Range Rover with a friend to Harare for a wedding.
The incident occurred at around 6am, according to Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Melusi Ncube. Chatunga was charged with disorderly conduct and illegal possession of a specified knife.
Sources close to the incident claim that Chatunga, who was being driven by his friend, a South African driver, became impatient when police officers asked for vehicle documents and identification.
“He started shouting at the police saying you are delaying us, do you know who I am? He then angrily and violently grabbed a Support Unit officer by the collar and tore off his shirt buttons in the process,” the sources said.
The State, represented by district public prosecutor Ms Tinayeishe Matenga, alleged a similar sequence of events.
The State said Chatunga disembarked from the vehicle, driven by his South African friend Irvin Molokoza, and started shouting at the police officer for delaying them for the fourth time.
He is alleged to have manhandled the officer, but was subdued by other officers who found a flick knife on him upon arresting him.
According to the State, Molokoza was asked to produce his passport, and Chatunga allegedly produced his before his friend could comply. Molokoza was then advised to park by the roadside for security checks, but he partially parked on the road and was told to move further away from the main road. It was at this point that Chatunga allegedly began shouting and manhandling the officer.
Chatunga appeared briefly before Beitbridge resident magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba. He was represented by Mr Muchiwande Sithole of F Chauke and Associates. He was not asked to plead to the charges and was remanded out of custody until 16 September for a provisional trial date.
Mr Sithole argued that his client was the one who had been assaulted by a police officer and was still struggling with back pain.
Chatunga is the second son of Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe, who also had sons Robert and Bona Mugabe, named after the former Zimbabwean leader’s mother. He is a controversial figure, having been recently named as the mastermind of a massive money laundering syndicate through which he could have gained R10 million just before his father was ousted in a coup in 2017.
