By Ziyah News Reporter
Harare— Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former president Robert Mugabe, is facing a mounting stack of criminal charges, with prosecutors accusing him of launching a string of violent assaults including the tasering of a truck driver for allegedly failing to greet him “with respect.”
Chatunga, 28, appeared before the Concession Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with three counts of violence-related offences, part of seven open cases that reportedly involve assault, torture, and weapons offences.
The most recent incident involves Moreblessing Chinoripi, a 52-year-old unemployed man from Mazowe, who claims he was electrocuted with a stun gun by Chatunga on September 3, 2024, during an altercation at Iron Mask Farm in Mazowe.
According to court documents, Chinoripi was summoned to the farm to transport gold ore. When he greeted Chatunga upon arrival around 7PM, the younger Mugabe allegedly became enraged, accusing him of failing to show proper respect.
A verbal confrontation ensued, and Chatunga is said to have pulled out a taser and delivered a high-voltage shock to Chinoripi. Although the victim did not suffer visible injuries and was not medically examined, prosecutors insist the act was unlawful and unprovoked.
Chinoripi is expected to testify when the trial resumes later this month.
The Chinoripi case is just the latest in a string of violent incidents linked to Chatunga Mugabe.
On June 25, Chatunga allegedly orchestrated a brutal attack on five security guards at Ultimate Mine in Mazowe, accusing them of aiding illegal artisanal miners trespassing on neighbouring land. He was not arrested until June 30, after reportedly assaulting a school groundsman, Jorum Ngirazi, 38, near Annaph Secondary School.
Ngirazi had approached Chatunga and his entourage including bodyguards Tinashe Mupawo (40) and Brenan Mateko (26) to request a vehicle for ore transport. The situation turned violent when Ngirazi was allegedly grabbed by the collar and slapped by Chatunga, with his bodyguards joining in. His mobile phone was damaged during the scuffle.
Though Ngirazi reported no visible injuries, he later complained of a persistent headache.
Despite the growing list of accusations, Chatunga was granted $200 bail after spending a night in remand prison. He is expected back in court later this month to answer to additional charges.