A warrant of arrest has been issued for Robert Mugabe Junior, the son of the late former president Robert Gabriel Mugabe, after he failed to appear in court for the start of his trial on charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs.

Mugabe Jr. (33) was arrested on October 1 and charged with possession of dangerous drugs.

He was later released on US$300 bail.

However, on the scheduled trial date, Mugabe Jr. did not show up.

Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki issued the arrest warrant after the court orderly called the accused’s name three times outside the courtroom, with no response.

Three witnesses who were set to testify were excused and told they would be summoned once the accused had been located and brought to court.

According to the State, Mugabe Jr. was arrested on October 1 at around 8:30 a.m. while driving a Honda Fit along Sam Nujoma Street extension road in Harare.

Police allegedly searched the vehicle and recovered two sachets of dagga, a packet of Rizla rolling papers, and a dagga crusher.

The seized dagga reportedly weighed two grams and had an estimated street value of US$30.

Mugabe Jr. remains wanted as the warrant of arrest stands.

A Matopo family has been left shattered after a jealous girlfriend allegedly torched a married couple and their one year old baby in a horrific attack that has now claimed two lives.

The devastating incident occurred eight days ago in Matopo, Matabeleland South, leaving the community in shock. The husband, who had been battling for his life at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), died from severe burns, just days after the death of his wife, 23 year ‏old Melissa Ndlovu. Their baby, the only survivor, remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at the same hospital.

The alleged attacker, Florence Ndlovu from Ntabazinduna, is on the run and wanted by police on two counts of murder. Relatives of the deceased say they are frustrated by what they describe as a slow and inadequate police response.

“We are devastated and desperate for justice. It feels like the police are not doing enough to find her,” said a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We have not received any update since the incident.”

According to reports, Florence, who was allegedly romantically involved with the husband, stormed the couple’s home at a mine in Matopo and doused them with petrol before setting them alight.

Veteran broadcaster Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, who reported on the incident, said the suspect poured petrol on the couple and their toddler before igniting the flames.

“Melissa was pronounced dead upon arrival at UBH, while her husband and baby were admitted to intensive care,” Sibanda said.

The brutal nature of the attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents calling for justice and stronger action from law enforcement to apprehend the suspect.

Meanwhile, the family’s one-year-old child continues to fight for life in hospital, the only survivor of a tragedy that has left an entire community grieving.

A Harare man is battling for his life after he was allegedly doused with boiling cooking oil by his mother-in-law during a heated domestic confrontation in Tafara.

The woman reportedly accused him of mistreating her daughter, leading to the altercation.

The violent encounter occurred around 1am last Friday after the man went to his in-laws’ home in an attempt to reconcile with his wife, who had earlier left their matrimonial house following claims of physical and emotional abuse.

According to witnesses, the man persistently knocked on the door before being allowed into the house. Moments later, his mother-in-law, identified as Winnie Gurai Chipengo, is said to have confronted him over the allegations and, in a fit of rage, poured boiling oil on his face.

He sustained severe facial burns and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Chipengo has since appeared before Harare magistrate Weston Nyamwanza, facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. She was released on US$300 bail and will return to court on November 17.

Reports indicate that tensions within the family had escalated after the wife fled her home to seek refuge with her parents.

In a separate case handled by the same court, four brothers from Mabvuku—Peter, Darlington, Hector, and Philemon Chiremba—were brought before the magistrate on charges of assaulting their stepmother following a disagreement over electricity in her bedroom.

The prosecution alleged that the four attacked the woman, dragging her outside before assaulting her with stones, planks, and their fists. She sustained multiple injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

All four accused were granted US$300 bail each and are expected back in court on November 17.