Friday, 10 October

Robert Mugabe's son appears in court on drug charge

World News
Robert Mugabe Jr,

The son of Zimbabwe's former President, Robert Mugabe, has appeared in a Harare court charged with drug possession.

Robert Mugabe Jr, 33, was arrested on Wednesday morning as he drove the wrong way down a one-way street, according to documents made available by the court.  

Police searched a black sling bag he was wearing at the time and allegedly found two small sachets of cannabis.

Following the incident, police said in a statement that five people in a "syndicate linked to him" were also arrested.

Mr Mugabe's lawyer told the BBC they plan to deny the charges, and contested the factual claims made by the police.

Ashiel Mugiya said the drugs were recovered from a car that had three other occupants, and that police had found 0.02g of cannabis - while the police charge sheet says police recovered 2g, with a street value of $30 (£22).

Mr Mugabe wore joggers and a red cap while on his phone as he was led into the magistrates' court on Thursday.

He was surrounded by people and was not handcuffed.

He was released on Friday, after paying bail of $300 (£220).

On the alleged syndicate members they arrested, police said they found 25 sachets of marijuana and six ecstasy pills.

Police said they will continue to investigate.

This is not Mr Mugabe's first brush with the law.

In 2023, the second child of the former president and his widow, Grace was arrested over allegations he damaged property and spat on a police officer at a party in Harare, the Zimbabwean capital in 2023.

He was freed after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement with the complainant, who was a friend of his

Source: Classfmonline.com/Abigail Bodo