Beitbridge – A warrant of arrest has been issued for Chatunga Bellamine Mugabe, the son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, after he failed to appear in court yesterday.
The 27-year-old is facing charges of disorderly conduct and possession of a prohibited knife following an incident at a security checkpoint near Beitbridge last month.
The warrant, issued by Beitbridge Magistrate Miss Vavariro Gavi, came as a surprise to many, as Chatunga was previously granted bail after his initial court appearance in August.
His lawyer, Muchihwande Forbes Sithole, however, explained that the warrant was merely an administrative measure, as his client was undergoing throat surgery in Harare.
“He is hospitalised and doctors said he would be released on Friday. We expect on Monday he should report here, where we will ask the court to possibly just warn, caution and discharge him. It’s a very minor allegation,” Sithole said.
Chatunga’s arrest stems from an incident on August 30th, when he was pulled over at a roadblock in Bubi, 80km north of Beitbridge, while travelling to Harare with a friend.
Upon his arrest, a flick knife was found in his possession, leading to the additional charge of possession of a prohibited weapon.
The State alleges that Chatunga’s behaviour at the roadblock was disorderly and that he showed disrespect to the police officers, thus justifying the charge of disorderly conduct.
The incident has sparked public debate about the behaviour of the former president’s son and the potential for preferential treatment due to his family’s legacy.
Chatunga has since denied a post on X (formerly Twitter) that purported to be an apology to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.