Two taken in for questioning after shooting at former president Mugabe’s Hyde Park home

Two people have been taken in for questioning following a shooting at the Hyde Park residence of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

While speculation has circulated regarding the involvement of a member of the Mugabe family, police have declined to confirm the identities of those being questioned.

Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, spokesperson for Gauteng police, said officers were alerted to the incident by a security officer. “We don’t know who shot and who did the shooting and where is the firearm. Hence, we are taking them for questioning,” she said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

The victim, a 23-year-old gardener employed at the property, is in critical condition. Police indicated there had been an altercation prior to the shooting. “Apparently he did not come to work for some time and there was an altercation regarding that. So that is what we are getting. It will also form part of the investigation,” Colonel Nevhuhulwi said.

Forensics teams and sniffer dogs were deployed to comb the property. “Officers recovered some cartridges inside the house, but the firearm remains missing."

Regarding the identity of those taken in for questioning, Colonel Nevhuhulwi said police cannot confirm names before court appearances. She did, however, confirm that the individuals involved are not South African citizens.

“Should there be an arrest, I will definitely issue out an update as per the norm, and then the journalist will know and the public at large will also know what is happening,” she said.

Police have stressed that no arrests have been made yet and any decision on charges will be determined after the questioning.

On the possibility of preferential treatment due to the high profile of those involved, she said: “Like any other case, the case will be investigated. There won’t be any preferential treatment and the investigation will unfold as per procedure.”