Chatunga Mugabe remanded in custody

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, will remain behind bars after being remanded in custody on charges of robbery and malicious damage to property following an alleged violent attack on a security guard at a Harare guest lodge.

The 29-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday alongside four other men accused of assaulting the guard, disarming him and destroying his mobile phone during an incident at Brompton Guest Lodge in Newlands.

Chatunga, who is represented by lawyer Bvekwa, was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for Friday.

The decision means the former president's son will spend at least a second night in detention following his arrest on Tuesday, November 3.

His co-accused have been identified as Terrence Johannes Chinyemba, Fredson Peter, Solomon Pamire and Munashe Mubhawo.

According to the State, the alleged robbery occurred on November 3 at approximately 6.30pm while the complainant was carrying out surveillance duties at the lodge.

The security guard was reportedly armed with a Norinco Star pistol, bearing serial number CF98-901033512236, when he encountered the five accused, who were also staying at the establishment.

Prosecutors allege that the group confronted the guard before physically attacking him using open hands and broomsticks.

During the alleged assault, one of the suspects reportedly seized the guard's service pistol, which was loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition.

The accused are also alleged to have forcibly taken the complainant's Samsung A56 cellphone before smashing it against the ground.

The attack reportedly left the security guard with a deep cut to his forehead, causing substantial bleeding.

Following the incident, a police report was filed, leading to investigations that resulted in the arrest of the five suspects.

Police allegedly recovered the stolen firearm from Fredson Peter, one of Chatunga's co-accused.

The injured security guard was taken to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.

The State has charged the five men with robbery in connection with the alleged theft of the firearm and cellphone.

They also face a separate charge of malicious damage to property arising from the destruction of the mobile phone.

The case has attracted public attention because of Chatunga's family background and his previous encounters with law enforcement authorities.

His latest arrest comes amid renewed scrutiny of incidents involving members of Zimbabwe's former first family.

However, the allegations remain unproven, and the accused are presumed innocent until a court determines otherwise.

The matter is expected to return to court on Friday, when Chatunga and his co-accused will have an opportunity to seek release on bail.

The court will then consider the bail applications before deciding whether the accused can await trial outside custody.

For now, Chatunga and the four other suspects remain detained as criminal proceedings continue.