Mugabe’s son faces attempted murder charge

A son of Zimbabwe’s late former leader Robert Mugabe appeared in a Johannesburg court facing an attempted murder charge after a gardener was shot and wounded at the mansion where he had been staying. The 29-year-old defendant was not required to enter a plea; proceedings involving him and a co-accused were adjourned to allow police to carry out further inquiries. He remains in custody pending the next hearing.

Both accused also face a separate charge of defeating the ends of justice, prosecutors said, noting that the firearm alleged to have been used in the shooting has not yet been recovered. Authorities say the gardener suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized following the incident; investigators have interviewed witnesses and are assembling medical and forensic evidence as part of an ongoing probe.

Defense lawyers for the younger Mugabe declined to comment at the hearing, saying they would address the charges later. Court filings indicate the defense plans to contest the allegations and has sought additional time to review the investigation file and prepare its response. Prosecutors told the court they will continue to build the case, pointing to anticipated witness testimony and medical assessments that may be relied on if the matter proceeds.

The case has drawn attention in both South Africa and Zimbabwe because of the Mugabe family’s prominence, though legal observers emphasized the matter will be adjudicated under South African criminal law without regard to the accused’s lineage. The court’s decision to postpone was to permit police further time to complete inquiries and for magistrates to consider the next procedural steps, which could include transferring aspects of the matter to a higher court should charges advance toward trial.

Officials confirmed the injured gardener remained in hospital while investigators pursue forensic leads and search for the weapon reported to be linked to the shooting. The adjournment sets the next appearance for a later date to allow police to finalize elements of the investigation and for both prosecution and defence to prepare for ensuing steps in the criminal process.