Hopewell Chin’ono:
Harare – The recent arrest of Robert Mugabe Jr on drug possession charges has sparked widespread discussion in Zimbabwe, highlighting how the children of powerful leaders can lose their shield of protection once their parents are out of office. Prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has weighed in, using the incident to warn current leaders about the fleeting nature of power and the risks it poses to their families. The 33-year-old son of the late former president Robert Mugabe was caught driving erratically, leading to the discovery of cannabis and other items, and now faces serious legal consequences.  This case not only revives memories of the Mugabe era but also raises questions about accountability for the elite in Zimbabwean society.
The Dramatic Arrest in Harare
On 1 October 2025, Robert Tinotenda Mugabe Jr was stopped by police in central Harare while driving a silver Honda Fit against oncoming traffic on a one-way street. Officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police noticed his erratic behaviour and pulled him over in the affluent Borrowdale area during a routine check. A search of his vehicle and belongings revealed two sachets of cannabis weighing about two grams, with an estimated street value of $30. Along with the drugs, police found a packet of Rizla rolling papers and a small grinder inside a sling bag he was carrying.
Authorities allege that Mugabe Jr is part of a larger drug syndicate involved in peddling illegal substances. Following a tip-off, the police’s Drugs and Narcotics Division acted swiftly, leading to the arrest of five other individuals linked to the group. These include Mitchel Jackson, aged 28, Phillip Munetsi Chiyangwa, 26, and Tanaka Kashamba, 25, along with two more syndicate members. From these arrests, officers recovered 25 sachets of Indo hybrid dagga – a potent strain of cannabis – and six ecstasy pills. This haul suggests the operation was more organised than a simple possession case, adding weight to the charges against Mugabe Jr.
Court Appearance and Charges
Mugabe Jr appeared before Harare Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki on the day after his arrest, dressed casually in track bottoms and a red cap. He was not handcuffed and was seen walking slowly into the court building while speaking on his phone, accompanied by detectives. Prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira outlined the case, charging him with possession of dangerous drugs. The court remanded him in custody, with a bail application set for hearing the following day.
Images from the court showed Mugabe Jr in a khaki prison uniform, a stark contrast to his privileged upbringing. His legal team has disputed the charges, claiming the drugs belonged to other passengers in a separate vehicle and accusing the police of exaggerating the quantity seized to strengthen their case. This defence aims to cast doubt on the evidence, potentially leading to a reduced charge or dismissal if proven.
Family Background and Previous Brushes with the Law
Born on 2 April 1992, Robert Mugabe Jr is the eldest son of the late Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 until a military coup ousted him in 2017, and his second wife, Grace Mugabe, whom he married in 1996. The former president, who passed away in 2019, had three children with Grace: Robert Jr, his sister Bona, and younger brother Bellarmine Chatunga, aged 28. Mugabe’s first wife, Sally, from Ghana, died in 1992 without surviving children.
Described as a lanky sportsman, Mugabe Jr once played for Zimbabwe’s senior basketball team and owns a fashion label. He has also dabbled in political campaigning. However, his early life was marked by challenges; he was expelled from Kutama College, a top school where his father excelled academically. In a rare interview, the elder Mugabe criticised his sons’ playful nature and poor school performance, once calling Robert Jr an “Undertaker” after he got the worst grades in his A-level exams.
This is not Mugabe Jr’s first run-in with the law. Since his father’s death, he has faced several charges. In February 2023, he was arrested for damaging vehicles and property at a house party while intoxicated; the matter was settled out of court after he paid compensation. Later that year, another incident involved allegedly spitting at a police officer, also resolved privately. His brother Chatunga has a similar history: in July 2025, he was arrested for leading a violent assault on five security guards at a farm north of Harare, accusing them of allowing illegal miners on family land. The previous year, Chatunga faced charges for attacking a police officer at a border checkpoint with South Africa.
Relations between the Mugabe family and current President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government have been tense since the 2017 coup, but Mugabe Jr publicly reconciled with the ruling Zanu-PF party in 2022 by attending a rally.
Hopewell Chin’ono’s Insightful Commentary
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono shared a powerful message on social media about the arrest, drawing lessons for leaders and their families. He wrote: “This is Robert Mugabe Jr wearing khaki prison uniform after being arrested in possession of drugs. You all know that if Robert Mugabe Sr was still in power today, this would not have happened. During his father’s time in office, crimes were committed by his children and close allies, yet nothing was done because they were shielded and pampered under the protection of his rule.
It is the same story we see today. If Sean or Collins Mnangagwa, or E.D. Jr commit crimes, they will not be arrested while their father remains in office. But once their father is no longer in power, the protection disappears and the same law that they once evaded will come after them.
That is why leaders like Emmerson Mnangagwa are desperate to ensure that their successor is someone of their own choosing, someone who will guarantee continued protection for their families and cronies, instead of an independent figure who rises without their blessing.
People should understand that time does not stand still. Power is temporary. As time moves, circumstances change, and the grip on power inevitably weakens. When it is loosened, those once untouchable become like everyone else — what they call povo in Mozambique, the ordinary people. That is what Robert Mugabe Jr has now become.
He is sleeping in prisons his own father refused to refurbish, the same prisons we repeatedly criticised as symbols of decay and neglect. When we called out Mugabe for allowing his people to loot public money while ignoring the dilapidated state of prisons and public services, he dismissed those warnings. Yet today his son lies in those same filthy cells.
Yes, he will probably get bail today or tomorrow. But the humiliation he has already endured is a powerful lesson for every politician. power is fleeting, corruption always catches up, and one day even your own children will face the very consequences you once ignored.”
Chin’ono’s words resonate deeply, pointing out the irony of Mugabe Jr now facing the harsh realities of a system his father neglected.
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