Chatunga Mugabe, four others granted US$100 bail

Court Correspondent

Former President Robert Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, and four others accused of assaulting and robbing a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigator have each been granted US$100 bail.

The five appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Friday in connection with an alleged attack on ZACC investigator Lloyd Mupanduki during an operation involving two luxury vehicles suspected of having irregular importation documents.

Chatunga is jointly charged with his security aide, Munashe Mubhawu, and three security guards, Terence Johannes Chinyemba, Fredson Peter and Solomon Pamire.

The State told the court there were no compelling reasons to oppose bail, despite concerns previously raised by investigators over possible witness interference and the risk of the accused evading trial.

Under their bail conditions, the five must remain at their declared residential addresses, report to police once a week and refrain from interfering with State witnesses.

They are expected back in court on November 24 for possible allocation of a trial date.

The charges stem from an incident at Brompton Guest Lodge in Harare on November 3, where ZACC investigators were examining suspected irregularities involving a Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 bearing South African registration plates.

According to ZACC, official records showed that the Lamborghini had exited Zimbabwe on July 12, while the Mercedes-Benz was recorded as having left for South Africa on October 10. However, both vehicles were subsequently located at the Harare property, raising questions about their temporary importation records.

Prosecutors allege that Mupanduki was assaulted with open hands and broomsticks during the operation, sustaining a deep cut to his forehead.

His service pistol, loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition, was allegedly forcibly taken, while his Samsung mobile phone was seized and smashed.

The State alleges that the firearm was later recovered from Chinyemba following police investigations.

The five face robbery and malicious damage to property charges, while investigations into the suspected vehicle importation irregularities form part of a separate inquiry involving ZACC and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.