Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe's late former president Robert Mugabe, has been arrested alongside four other men over an alleged assault in Harare.
The 29-year-old was among five suspects arrested on Tuesday, November 3, during an investigation into the alleged smuggling of two luxury vehicles into Zimbabwe, according to local media reports.
The vehicles, reportedly a Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz, were seized by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) after they were found at Brompton Guest Lodge in Harare.
According to ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu, preliminary investigations indicated that the vehicles had entered Zimbabwe under temporary import permits issued by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
However, records showed that the Lamborghini had exited the country on July 12, while the Mercedes-Benz was recorded as having left for South Africa on October 10.
Despite the records, both vehicles were reportedly found at the guest lodge, prompting the commission to seize them as part of its investigations.
The vehicle operation was also linked to an alleged assault at the premises. Police said the incident occurred at approximately 6:30pm on November 3, leading to the arrest of five men.
Mugabe was arrested alongside Munashe Mubawu, 43, Terrence Johannes Chinyemba, 42, Fredson Peter, 33, and Solomon Pamire, 34.
The commission confirmed that one of its officials was assaulted during the operation and that the matter was reported to the police.
The five suspects appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on Thursday, November 5, facing robbery and malicious damage to property charges. They were remanded in custody pending consideration of their bail application.
Bellarmine is the youngest son of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. His father ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, from independence in 1980 until he was forced from power in November 2017. He died in September 2019, aged 95.
The arrest places Mugabe at the centre of an assault investigation that unfolded during the authorities' operation involving the two luxury vehicles, with the five suspects now facing criminal proceedings in Harare.
