Arrests, accusations and arguments – the Mugabe family after losing power
Arrests, Accusations, and Rivalry: The Mugabe Family’s Post-Power Struggles
The recent detention of Bellarmine Mugabe, Robert Mugabe’s youngest son, in South Africa has reignited scrutiny of the former first family’s legacy. Charged with attempted murder, the 23-year-old man was shot at a property in an affluent Johannesburg suburb, prompting a bail hearing set for Wednesday. Bellarmine has yet to respond to the allegations. His father, who ruled Zimbabwe for three decades before being ousted in 2017, passed away in 2019. The couple had three children together, with Grace Mugabe also having a son from a prior union.
The Family’s Accumulated Wealth
Details about the family’s substantial assets emerged three months after Mugabe’s death, via a legal letter from his daughter Bona. The letter revealed a fortune including $10 million in cash, four residences, ten vehicles, a farm, and an orchard. At the time, a family lawyer, Terrence Hussein, claimed none of the properties bore Mugabe’s name. However, Grace had previously asserted in 2013 that her husband’s income as a civil servant was modest, and she supported the family through her own ventures.
“The allowance I get is just a pittance. I’m a business-minded person [and] I support my husband [by] running our private businesses,” Grace stated.
Early Life and Parental Concerns
Bellarmine, like his siblings, grew up under public gaze. His parents expressed worries about his academic focus during his teenage years. In a 2013 South African TV interview, they highlighted his playful nature and lack of discipline. Grace urged him to “change his ways” and “concentrate on his studies,” while his father added that he should “be more serious than he is at the moment.” Bellarmine modestly admitted to prioritizing video games over schoolwork.
High-Profile Legal Incidents
Bellarmine’s legal troubles have continued in recent years. In 2024, he was arrested in Beitbridge for allegedly attacking a police officer, later receiving bail. A warrant followed when he missed court. A year later, he was charged again with assaulting a security guard at a mining site near Harare. The case remains unresolved. Meanwhile, Robert Mugabe Jr, his older brother, faced arrests in 2023 for damaging property at a Harare gathering. He was accused of smashing car windscreens and confronting a police officer, though he maintained innocence and settled out of court.
In 2025, Robert Jr was convicted of cannabis possession after a traffic stop revealed two small sachets in his sling bag. The police reported recovering 2 grams, valued at $30, while his defense contested the amount, citing 0.02 grams instead. These incidents underscore the family’s ongoing tensions with law enforcement and their public image amid Zimbabwe’s economic challenges.
