HARARE – A Harare magistrate has denied bail to two men allegedly implicated as drug suppliers by Robert Mugabe Jr, keeping them in custody while investigations into a wider drug syndicate continue. The ruling comes just days after Mugabe Jr himself was granted bail, underscoring contrasting legal outcomes that have sparked public debate.
The accused, Simbarashe Kaseke (37) and Wellington Ncube (19), appeared before Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki after spending a week in custody. Prosecutors argued they should remain detained, describing them as flight risks due to the serious nature of the charges and their alleged involvement in an organised drug network.
According to the prosecution, the two are central figures in an ongoing investigation into a syndicate believed to supply drugs across Harare and beyond.On 1 October 2025, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics Unit acted on an intelligence tip-off. They conducted a raid at Number 38 Boscobel Drive, located in the affluent Highlands suburb of Harare. The operation led to the arrest of Ncube and Kaseke, as detailed in court documents.
Prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira told the court that Ncube was searched on the scene and found in possession of drugs.
“Wellington Ncube was searched and found in possession of seven sachets of Indo hybrid dagga and two pink Ecstasy pills in his pockets,” Chigumira said.
When questioned, Ncube reportedly implicated his employer, naming Simbarashe Kaseke as the owner of the drugs. This led police to search Kaseke, who was inside the property at the time.
“Kaseke was found in possession of 15 transparent sachets of Indo Hybrid dagga and four pink Ecstasy pills, which were seized from his back pockets,” the prosecutor told the court.
The total amount of dagga seized from both men weighed approximately 26 grams, with an estimated street value of US$380 (around R7,000).
Two Men Accused in Robert Mugabe Jr Drug Case Denied Bail After Week in Custody
During the bail hearing, the prosecution argued strongly against releasing the accused, citing the seriousness of the charges and the potential for them to interfere with the investigation. Magistrate Mutendereki agreed, ruling that Kaseke and Ncube were not suitable candidates for bail.
“Given the serious nature of the offences and the ongoing investigation into the wider syndicate, bail is denied. The accused are considered flight risks,” the magistrate said.
The denial leaves the two men in custody as police continue probing the alleged syndicate.
The ruling comes just days after Robert Mugabe Jr was granted bail by the same magistrate after spending only two nights in custody. Mugabe Jr was required to pay US$300 (about R5,500) and abide by strict bail conditions, including reporting to CID every Friday and remaining at his given address.
Prosecutor Chigumira told the court that Mugabe Jr’s arrest involved a different set of circumstances. Police said that during a routine traffic stop, a search of Mugabe Jr’s bag revealed a smaller quantity of drugs.
“Upon searching the accused’s black sling bag, police recovered two sachets of dagga, one pack of Rizla, and a white dagga crusher,” Chigumira said.
The recovered dagga weighed just 2 grams, with an estimated value of US$30 (R550). Mugabe Jr is expected to return to court on 22 October 2025.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police have described this matter as part of a major operation targeting a high-level drug syndicate. In a statement issued on 2 October 2025, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Mugabe Jr was linked to several other suspects, including Kaseke and Ncube.
The police named other alleged members of the network, including Phillip Munetsi Chiyangwa (26), son of prominent businessman Phillip Chiyangwa, Mitchel Jackson (28), and Tanaka Kashamba (25). The police described the case as an ongoing investigation into organised narcotics trafficking, which added weight to their opposition to bail for Kaseke and Ncube.
The contrasting bail decisions have sparked public discussion about fairness in the judicial process, especially given the high-profile nature of Mugabe Jr’s case and the length of time Kaseke and Ncube have remained in custody without bail. Social media and legal commentators have raised questions about the consistency of bail decisions in cases of national interest, with some suggesting that high-profile defendants may receive preferential treatment.
Supporters of Kaseke and Ncube’s release argued that prolonged pre-trial detention infringes upon their rights, while others echoed the prosecution’s concerns about the risk of flight and the need to secure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The matter will return to court as investigations into the wider syndicate continue. Police have vowed to intensify their efforts to dismantle the alleged network and bring all involved to justice. Meanwhile, Kaseke and Ncube remain behind bars, their fate tied to the outcome of an investigation that continues to unfold amid intense public scrutiny.
This case remains one of Zimbabwe’s most high-profile narcotics investigations, intertwining questions of justice, law enforcement, and political intrigue, and is likely to dominate headlines in the weeks ahead.
Source- iHarare
