Chatunga Mugabe dagga charge withdrawn before plea

Former President Robert Mugabe’s youngest son, Bellarmine Chatunga, walked free from the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday after his drug charge was withdrawn before plea.

The National Prosecuting Authority withdrew charges of possession of dangerous drugs against him after his co-accused, music promoter Max Mugaba, accepted responsibility for the dagga.

Chatunga was escorted into court in handcuffs alongside Mugaba, moments before prosecutors confirmed they were dropping the case against him. They are proceeding with the case against Mugaba.

According to Chatunga’s lawyer, Simbarashe Mukwekwezeka, his client had been driving a vehicle without number plates when he picked up Mugaba on his way to a barbershop.

“Unbeknown to him, his friend allegedly had 72 grammes of mbanje in his bag. They were stopped by police officers who noticed the unregistered vehicle they were driving. Their vehicle was searched, resulting in the alleged discovery of the drugs,” Mukwekwezeka said.

The pair were arrested after the alleged discovery of 72 grammes of marijuana.

Chatunga’s release comes less than a year after his older brother, Robert Tinotenda Mugabe, was convicted in a similar case.

Robert was convicted on 13 November 2025 at the same court for unlawful possession of drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

He had been arrested on 1 October 2025 during a traffic blitz along 2nd Street Extension in Harare. Officers from ZRP Avondale stopped him after he drove a silver Honda Fit the wrong way down a one-way street.

He pleaded guilty and was fined US$300 by Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki, who ordered him to serve four months in prison in default of payment.

In mitigation, he asked for leniency, telling the court he is a single father caring for two young children.