A Harare magistrate has issued a warrant of arrest for Robert Mugabe Junior, the son of the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, after he failed to appear in court for his ongoing trial on drug possession charges.
The warrant was issued by Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki after the accused failed to respond when his name was called three times in court. Mugabe Junior, who is currently out on bail, was expected to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial but did not attend, thereby violating his bail conditions.
According to court records, Mugabe Junior was arrested last month following a police operation targeting traffic violations and illegal activities in central Harare. Reports indicate that he was intercepted after allegedly driving the wrong way along Second Street Extension. Upon searching his sling bag, police officers reportedly found two sachets of dagga (cannabis), a pack of rizla rolling papers, and a dagga crusher.
The recovered drugs, which weighed approximately two grams and were valued at around US$30, were later confirmed through a chemical analysis conducted at the Harare Main Post. Prosecutors allege that Mugabe Junior was in unlawful possession of the controlled substances in violation of Zimbabwe’s Dangerous Drugs Act.
The 32-year-old, who has often maintained a relatively low profile compared to his late father’s political legacy, made headlines earlier this year after facing similar accusations related to substance use and reckless behavior. Sources close to the family say his legal troubles have caused considerable embarrassment to the Mugabe family, which has largely stayed out of the political spotlight since the death of the former president in 2019.
Authorities have now ordered law enforcement officers to locate and bring Mugabe Junior before the court to face the charges. The magistrate emphasized that bail conditions apply to all accused persons, regardless of social or political status, and failure to comply warrants immediate arrest.
This latest development adds to the growing list of high-profile cases in Zimbabwe involving public figures accused of drug-related offenses, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the spread of illicit substances in the country.
