Bellarmine Mugabe
The arrest in South Africa of Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe, has renewed focus on the former first family and their controversies. Bellarmine appeared in court on Wednesday for a bail hearing, charged with attempted murder and other offenses following a shooting incident involving a 23-year-old man at a property in a Johannesburg upscale suburb.
He has not publicly addressed the charges but unexpectedly withdrew his bail application and agreed to plea negotiations with South African prosecutors. Bellarmine faces charges alongside his bodyguard. Their lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, stated,
"it was 'premature to say whether we will plead guilty to anything at this stage". The case is scheduled to return to court next Tuesday.
Bellarmine grew up in the public eye and was noted for his playful attitude and lack of academic focus. In a 2013 South African television interview, his parents expressed concerns about his study habits. Grace Mugabe said she wanted him to
"change his ways" and "concentrate on his studies", while Robert Mugabe added,
"He should be more serious than he is at the moment". Bellarmine admitted to spending more time on video games than schoolwork.
He and his brother Robert Jr have attracted attention for their ostentatious lifestyles amid Zimbabwe's economic hardships. In 2017, shortly before the coup that ousted their father, Bellarmine posted a photo on Instagram of a $60,000 watch. Earlier that year, the brothers were reportedly evicted from a luxury apartment in Johannesburg's Sandton suburb due to noise complaints.
Bellarmine has faced multiple legal issues recently. In 2024, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe. After being granted bail, a warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court, according to Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper. In June 2025, he was arrested again for assaulting a security guard at a mining site in Mazowe, near Harare. He was bailed, and the case remains unresolved. His current South African case has experienced several delays since his February arrest, with his bail hearing postponed twice.
Robert Mugabe Jr
Robert Mugabe Jr, like his brother, has had multiple encounters with law enforcement. In 2023, he was arrested on charges of malicious damage to property and assaulting a police officer after an incident at a party in Harare. He was accused of smashing car windscreens and spitting on an officer. He denied the allegations and was later released following an out-of-court settlement with the complainant, a friend.
In 2025, Robert Jr pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and was fined in Zimbabwe. He was arrested for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Police found two small sachets of cannabis in a black sling bag he carried. Officers reported recovering 2 grams of cannabis valued at $30, though his lawyer claimed the amount was only 0.02 grams.
Grace Mugabe
Grace Mugabe, the former first lady, has been criticized for her reputed extravagance, earning the nickname "Gucci Grace." She denied these claims in a 2013 interview, stating that detractors saw her as a
"soft target". She said,
"I'm not really what they say I am and I'm actually surprised by some of the things they say. I work so hard and I don't have time to pamper myself. I make my own clothes and tie my own scarf".
In the later years of her husband's presidency, Grace sought to position herself as his successor. She led the women's league of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party and played a key role in sidelining rival candidates. However, her ambitions were thwarted when Robert Mugabe was removed from power after dismissing Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017.
Following the coup, Grace's business ventures declined. Her multimillion-dollar dairy company, Gushungo Dairy Estates, closed in 2022 amid significant debts. Analysts suggest the business survived previously due to government patronage, which ceased after Mugabe's ousting. Despite this, Grace continues to reside in the Blue Roof mansion in Harare, purchased by Zanu-PF for Robert Mugabe during his presidency. Ownership was transferred to the family after his death.
Grace faces an arrest warrant in South Africa related to a 2017 assault case involving Gabriella Engels, a young woman allegedly attacked with an electric extension cord in a Johannesburg hotel room shared by Bellarmine and Robert Jr. Grace claimed self-defense, stating she was attacked first. Although an investigation was initiated, she was granted diplomatic immunity at the time, allowing her to leave South Africa without interrogation. This immunity was revoked in July 2018, and the arrest warrant was issued.
This incident mirrors a 2009 case when Grace was accused of assaulting a British photographer in Hong Kong. The photographer, Richard Jones, alleged she punched him while wearing a diamond-studded ring. Grace was not charged due to diplomatic immunity granted by the Chinese government. She later said she acted out of protection for her daughter Bona, stating,
"I had to [punch him] but I really don't know what happened, I had all this energy".
Bona Mugabe
Bona Mugabe, the eldest child and only daughter of Robert and Grace Mugabe, has generally remained out of the public eye until recently. In 2023, she filed for divorce from former pilot Simbarashe Chikore, initiating a widely publicized legal dispute. Chikore claimed entitlement to a share of assets reportedly worth $80 million, including a mansion in Dubai and 21 farms, contradicting Robert Mugabe's policy of "one household, one farm." He also listed additional properties he alleged Bona owned, describing this as a
"drop in the ocean".
Bona did not publicly respond to these claims. A former spokesperson for Robert Mugabe denied the couple owned 21 farms. The couple eventually settled their divorce privately amid public scrutiny and outrage over the asset revelations. Bona and Chikore were married in a lavish 2014 ceremony attended by several African heads of state and broadcast live on state television. They have three children.
Russell Goreraza
Russell Goreraza, Grace Mugabe's eldest son, was convicted of manslaughter in 2015 and fined $800 (£595) after a fatal car accident in Harare earlier that year. He had struck and killed an unidentified man while speeding. Sentencing for culpable homicide varies, with some cases resulting in prison terms of up to two years. However, the magistrate in this case opted against imprisonment, citing Russell's remorse and status as a first-time offender.
Family Wealth and Background
The Mugabe family accumulated significant wealth during Robert Mugabe's presidency, including $10 million (£7.5 million) in cash, four houses, ten cars, a farm, and an orchard among other assets. These details surfaced three months after Robert Mugabe's death in a legal letter submitted to Zimbabwe's high court by Bona Mugabe. At the time, family lawyer Terrence Hussein told the BBC that none of the properties were registered in Robert Mugabe's name.
In 2013, Grace Mugabe denied that her husband amassed wealth while in office, stating that he earned less than commonly believed as a civil servant. She said,
"The allowance I get is just a pittance. I'm a business-minded person [and] I support my husband [by] running our private businesses".
Where Are the Mugabes Now?
Since 2017, the Mugabe family has largely withdrawn from public life. Robert Mugabe expressed bitterness over his treatment by the Zanu-PF party and campaigned for the opposition in the 2018 elections. Following his death, his wife Grace, daughter Bona, and son Robert Jr appeared to reconcile with the party, attending President Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauguration in 2023.
Except for Bellarmine, the family is believed to reside in Zimbabwe. A family spokesperson declined to confirm their current locations when contacted by the BBC.
Managing editor of the Zimbabwean privately owned NewsHawks website, Dumisani Muleya, told the BBC that the Mugabe family had
"lived a life of privilege"and that the children
"grew up in that environment where they were protected from the broader realities of the Zimbabwean political and socio-economic situation".
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