Mugabe Jr. Nabbed in Harare Drug Bust

Robert Mugabe Jr., the 33-year-old son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe, was arrested Wednesday evening in Harare after police allegedly discovered quantities of cannabis and cocaine in his possession, sources close to the investigation confirmed.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics unit acted on a tip-off, detaining Mugabe Jr. during a routine stop in the capital’s affluent Borrowdale suburb.

Officers reportedly recovered small packets of the substances from his vehicle, though exact quantities have not been disclosed pending forensic analysis.

No additional suspects were mentioned in initial reports.Mugabe Jr. is scheduled to appear before the Harare Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, where he is expected to face charges under Zimbabwe’s Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment for possession of controlled substances like cannabis and cocaine.

Court officials have yet to release a formal docket, but legal experts anticipate a bail hearing could expedite his release given his high-profile status.

This incident marks the latest in a series of legal entanglements for Mugabe Jr., who has cultivated a reputation for brushes with the law since his father’s death in 2019.

In February 2023, he was arrested for allegedly vandalizing property worth $12,000 at a raucous party in Harare and assaulting a police officer, charges that were later suspended after a brief court appearance.

Earlier that year, he survived a high-speed car crash in the Eastern Highlands, sustaining minor injuries.

Mugabe Jr., a former national basketball player and co-founder of the xGx clothing label, has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent months, focusing on business ventures in South Africa alongside his brother, Chatunga Bellarmine.

Zimbabwean authorities have ramped up anti-drug operations in recent years amid rising concerns over narcotics trafficking through southern Africa.

Just last month, 14 foreign nationals were nabbed in a cocaine bust at a Harare lodge, highlighting the porous borders exploited by international syndicates.

Mugabe Jr.’s arrest, however, appears isolated and tied to personal use rather than broader distribution networks.Neither Mugabe Jr. nor his family has issued a public statement as of press time.

Grace Mugabe, the former first lady and his mother, could not be reached for comment.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police declined to elaborate beyond confirming the arrest, citing ongoing proceedings.This developing story will be updated as new details emerge from the courtroom.