Chatunga Mugabe dagga charge withdrawn before plea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youngest son, Bellarmine Chatunga, walked free from the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday after his drug charge was withdrawn before plea.

According to ZBC News, Chatunga, 29, was exonerated by his co-accused, music promoter Max Mugaba, who accepted responsibility for the dagga.

The pair were arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of 72 grammes of marijuana.

Chatunga was escorted into court in handcuffs alongside Mugaba. Moments after the appearance, the National Prosecuting Authority confirmed it was withdrawing the charge of unlawful possession of dagga against him.

His 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.