The son of Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe has appeared in a Harare court docket charged with drug possession.
Robert Mugabe Jr, 33, was arrested on Wednesday morning as he drove the flawed method down a one-way road, in keeping with court docket paperwork. Police searched a black sling bag he was carrying on the time and allegedly discovered two small sachets of hashish.
Following the incident, police stated in a press release that 5 folks in a “syndicate linked to him” had been additionally arrested.
Mr Mugabe’s lawyer advised the BBC they plan to disclaim the costs, and contested the factual claims made by the police.
Ashiel Mugiya stated the medication had been recovered from a automotive that had three different occupants, and that police had discovered 0.02g of hashish – whereas the police cost sheet says police recovered 2g, with a road worth of $30 (£22).
Mr Mugabe wore joggers and a crimson cap whereas on his telephone as he was led into the magistrates court docket on Thursday. He was surrounded by folks and was not handcuffed.
The court docket remanded Mr Mugabe in custody pending a bail ruling on Friday.
On the alleged syndicate members they arrested, police stated they discovered 25 sachets of marijuana and 6 ecstasy drugs.
Police stated they are going to proceed to research.
This isn’t Mr Mugabe’s first brush with the regulation. In 2023, the second little one of the previous president and his widow Grace was arrested over allegations he broken property and spat on a police officer at a celebration in Harare, the Zimbabwean capital, in 2023.
He was freed after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement with the complainant, who was a pal of his.
Former President Mugabe died in 2019 on the age of 95, two years after being pressured to resign following 37 years in command of the southern African nation.
He led the struggle towards within the Seventies towards the white-minority rule of what was once known as Rhodesia – however he was later accused of utilizing violence to win elections and destroying Zimbabwe’s financial system.
Mugabe Sr was changed by his former right-hand man Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Relations between Mnangagwa and the Mugabe household had been fraught after they accused the incumbent president of betraying Zimbabwe’s long-time chief.
Grace had harbored ambitions of succeeding her husband however was sidelined by Mnangagwa’s supporters.
Nonetheless, Mr Mugabe Jr has since reconciled with Mnangagwa, attending a rally in 2022 the place he was publicly welcomed again into the ruling Zanu-PF occasion.