Chatunga Mugabe’s legal team has dismissed viral claims that he was recently seen shopping in Midrand, Gauteng.
The son of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe became a trending topic after a photo circulated on social media.
According to the posts, the image allegedly showed him at Waterfall Corner in Midrand.
However, his lawyer has now rejected that claim strongly. Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, who represents Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, said the post was false and misleading.
He said the image being shared online was not recent. Instead, he claimed it was an old photograph that had been recycled and presented as a fresh sighting.
The denial comes months after Mugabe was deported from South Africa following a high-profile court matter.
Lawyer Says Mugabe Is Not in South Africa
Mnguni made it clear that his client is not currently in South Africa. He said he had taken instructions from Mugabe and could confirm that he was outside the country.
However, he refused to reveal Mugabe’s current location.
That detail has added more interest to the story, but the lawyer insisted that the most important point was simple.
Mugabe is not within South Africa’s borders. He also denied claims that Mugabe had secretly returned after his deportation.
According to Mnguni, Mugabe has not been back since late April. That statement directly challenges the social media rumour that placed him in Midrand.
Old Photo Sparks Fresh Rumours
The controversy started when a photo began circulating online. Social media users claimed that the picture showed Mugabe shopping at Waterfall Corner.
Because of his recent legal troubles in South Africa, the image quickly attracted attention. Many people questioned whether he had returned despite his deportation.
Others suggested that he could have entered South Africa illegally. However, Mnguni dismissed those claims.
He said the picture was old and had been used in a misleading way. This is another example of how quickly old images can create new rumours when shared without context.
In this case, the photo was enough to start a debate about immigration, celebrity privilege and legal consequences.
Five-Year Ban Adds Weight to Denial
The claim was especially sensitive because Mugabe was reportedly declared an undesirable person in South Africa.
That status can carry serious immigration consequences. His lawyer said Mugabe would not risk violating a five-year ban.
That point is important. If Mugabe had returned illegally, it could have created more legal trouble for him.
Therefore, his legal team moved quickly to shut down the rumour. They wanted to make it clear that the viral post should not be treated as proof of a recent sighting.
Deportation Followed Court Case
Mugabe’s name has remained in South African headlines since his February arrest.
He was arrested after a shooting incident at a Johannesburg property where an employee was wounded.
He was initially linked to serious charges during the investigation.
However, the matter later moved through a plea process.
In April, a South African court ordered his deportation after he pleaded guilty to lesser charges involving immigration violations and pointing an object that could be perceived as a firearm.
He was also fined.
His cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, received a prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges linked to the shooting matter.
That background explains why the Midrand photo attracted so much attention. Mugabe’s movements are now closely watched because of the legal outcome and deportation order.
Social Media Scrutiny Remains High
Chatunga Mugabe has lived much of his adult life under public attention. As Robert Mugabe’s youngest son, he has often made headlines because of his family name, lifestyle and legal issues.
His late father ruled Zimbabwe for decades before he was removed from power in 2017. Since then, the Mugabe family has remained a subject of public curiosity.
That interest means almost anything linked to Chatunga can spread quickly online. However, this latest incident also shows the danger of viral misinformation.
A photo without proper context can create a major public story within hours. It can also damage reputations and confuse the public.
Lawyers Push Back Against False Claims
Mnguni’s response was firm. He said the viral claim created a false impression and misled the public.
The legal team also wanted to stop people from believing that Mugabe had ignored South African immigration rules.
That distinction matters because a deportation order is serious.
If the public believes someone has violated it without evidence, the rumour can create unnecessary legal and political noise.
For now, the lawyer’s position is clear. The photo is old.
The Midrand claim is false. And Chatunga Mugabe has not returned to South Africa since his deportation.
A Reminder About Viral Posts
This story is not only about Chatunga Mugabe. It is also about how people consume news online.
Social media can break stories quickly, but it can also recycle old photos and present them as new events.
Because of that, readers need to be careful before sharing claims. In this case, a simple shopping photo created a fresh wave of speculation.
However, the legal team has now pushed back and asked the public to stop treating the image as a recent sighting.
Whether people accept that explanation or continue debating it online remains to be seen. Still, one thing is clear.
Chatunga Mugabe’s legal troubles have made him a constant subject of attention, and even an old photo can put him back at the centre of a national conversation.
