HARARE, Apr. 17 (NewsDay Live) – Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of former president Robert Mugabe, on Friday pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm and violating South Africa’s immigration laws, as a high-profile shooting case in Johannesburg moved to sentencing.
Mugabe entered the plea in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in connection with a February 2026 incident at the family’s Hyde Park residence, an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg.
His co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, also pleaded guilty to multiple charges — attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, illegal immigration and unlawful possession of ammunition — linked to the shooting of a 23-year-old gardener who was seriously injured.
The matter now shifts to sentencing following weeks of plea negotiations that prosecutors had earlier indicated were close to conclusion.
The shooting occurred at the Mugabe family property in Hyde Park, where a gardener was shot and rushed to hospital in critical condition. While full details of the altercation were not ventilated in court, investigations pointed to a missing firearm allegedly used in the incident, forming the basis of the charge of defeating the ends of justice against Matonhodze.
The case took a decisive turn in March after South African authorities confirmed that both accused were in the country without valid permits. The development led to the withdrawal of their bail applications and accelerated plea discussions.
Legal analysts say Matonhodze, who faces the most serious charge of attempted murder, could receive a lengthy custodial sentence, with South African law providing for penalties of up to 15 years.
Mugabe’s conviction on immigration-related offences also opens the possibility of deportation upon completion of any sentence.
- Grace Mugabe’s ex-husband Goreraza dies
- Corruption watch: Reasons why Zanu PF is a thieving cult
- Mnangagwa shrinking democratic space
- Grace Mugabe’s ex-husband Goreraza dies
Keep Reading
The case has attracted regional attention given the Mugabe family’s political prominence. Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being removed from power in November 2017 and died in 2019.
Bellarmine Mugabe, widely known as Chatunga, is one of two sons of Robert and Grace Mugabe.
The court is expected to set a sentencing date in the coming weeks. Neither the family nor their legal representatives had commented at the time of publication.
