The son of Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe has appeared in a Harare court charged with drug possession.
Robert Mugabe Jr, 33, was arrested on Wednesday morning as he drove the wrong way down a one-way street, according to court documents. Police searched a black sling bag he was wearing at the time and allegedly found two small sachets of cannabis.
Following the incident, police stated that five people in a 'syndicate linked to him' were also arrested.
Mr. Mugabe's lawyer told the BBC they plan to deny the charges and contested the factual claims made by the police.
Ashiel Mugiya said the drugs were recovered from a car that had three other occupants, and that police had found 0.02g of cannabis, while the police charge sheet says police recovered 2g, with a street value of $30 (£22).
Mr. Mugabe wore joggers and a red cap while on his phone as he was led into the magistrates court on Thursday. He was surrounded by people and was not handcuffed.
The court remanded Mr. Mugabe in custody pending a bail ruling on Friday.
On the alleged syndicate members arrested, police said they found 25 sachets of marijuana and six ecstasy pills.
Police stated they will continue to investigate.
This is not Mr. Mugabe's first brush with the law. In 2023, he was arrested over allegations he damaged property and spat on a police officer during a party in Harare. He was freed after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement with the complainant.
Former President Mugabe died in 2019 at the age of 95, two years after being forced to resign following 37 years of rule. He led the fight against the white-minority rule of what used to be called Rhodesia but faced criticism for using violence and mismanagement of the economy.
Relations between the Mugabe family and the current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, have been tense, especially after the former first lady Grace Mugabe's aspirations for power were sidelined by Mnangagwa's supporters.
However, Mr. Mugabe Jr has since reconciled with Mnangagwa, publicly welcomed back into the ruling Zanu-PF party after attending a rally in 2022.
