A man claiming to be the son of former President Robert Mugabe was arrested in 2015 after he stormed State House demanding to meet his alleged father, it has been confirmed. The individual, identified as Tonderai Robert Mugabe, was born on April 20, 1977, at the Chimoio base in Mozambique during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
He was reportedly released following intervention by the late president, who ordered that Tonderai be taken to the Mugabe family’s Kutama homestead for a private discussion. Sources close to the matter revealed that Mugabe, upon hearing about the incident, ordered that Tonderai meet with family members in Kutama to resolve the issue in a private setting.
The family meeting, attended by Mugabe’s younger brother, Chief Johhanes Karigamombe Mugabe, and other relatives, was described as an effort to understand Tonderai’s claim to the Mugabe family. Chief Karigamombe confirmed his presence during the introduction but downplayed any official recognition of Tonderai within the family.
“I know him from his visits here, but there is nothing done traditionally on welcoming him,” he stated, adding that many others had also come forward claiming to be Mugabe’s children for various reasons, including family lineage and financial gain.
The origins of Tonderai’s claim trace back to his mother, Hilda Maeka, who was believed to have died during the liberation war after the Chimoio camp bombing. Robert Mugabe posthumously conferred Maeka with a liberation war heroine status in 2016, acknowledging her contribution to Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence. Despite the tragedy surrounding her death, sources say Mugabe had long believed that both Maeka and Tonderai had perished in the bombing.
An affidavit submitted by Kaitano Mutandwa Mugabe, the son of Mugabe’s younger brother Donato, supports Tonderai’s claim, acknowledging him as part of the Mugabe family. Kaitano, in the affidavit, stated that he was present during the introduction of Tonderai to the family by Mugabe’s late sister, Bridget, and confirmed Tonderai as one of their own.
Tonderai’s claim to Mugabe’s estate has now escalated to a legal battle. He has approached the High Court seeking a share of his late father’s estate, citing that his half-sister, Bona Mugabe, has been attempting to shut him out of the inheritance process. Tonderai is seeking a declaration for the re-opening of Mugabe’s estate, with the application set to be heard in court this week.
“I have accepted Tonderai as part of the family, and he has already moved into the family,” said Kaitano in his affidavit. “We were all aware of his existence long before Tete Bridget passed on, and I have taken all responsibilities for him as the head of the family.”
Tonderai’s claim is supported by DNA evidence, which has reportedly confirmed that he is indeed from the Mugabe family’s clan. Laurencia, Bridget Mugabe’s daughter, also corroborated Tonderai’s claim, stating in her affidavit that the family had long believed Tonderai and his mother had died during the war, but they were later found by Bridget.
The unfolding legal dispute over Mugabe’s estate is expected to attract significant attention, as Tonderai seeks recognition and a rightful share of his late father’s legacy.
