The youngest son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, has been sentenced by Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg following multiple convictions, including firearm-related offences and immigration violations.
The court imposed a fine of R400,000 or, alternatively, 24 months’ imprisonment for pointing a firearm. The young Mugabe was handed an additional R200,000 fine or 18 months’ imprisonment for contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act by residing in the country illegally.
Immediate deportation
Authorities confirmed that Mugabe will be deported to Zimbabwe immediately following the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Mugabe’s cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, who was his co-accused, was also sentenced to 12 months on one count, another 12 months on a second count, three years on a third count, and a further 12 months on a fourth count. However, the court ruled that all sentences relating to the 33-year-old Matonhodze would run concurrently.
As a result, Matonhodze will serve an effective 12-month prison sentence before likewise being deported to Zimbabwe.
Bellarmine had, on April 17, pleaded guilty to charges including pointing a firearm and violating South Africa’s immigration laws following a shooting incident that left a young gardener hospitalised.
The case arises from a violent altercation at the Mugabe residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, where the family’s gardener, Sipho Mahlangu, was allegedly shot. It is understood that tensions escalated during a gathering at the property, culminating in gunfire that left Mahlangu injured.
Shooting victim compensated
The investigating officer told the court that Mahlangu had allegedly received financial compensation following the shooting.
“I met with Mr Mahlangu on Thursday, and he informed me freely that a family member related to the Mugabes gave him money,” the officer testified. “He said he was paid R250,000 in cash and that a further R150,000 is still outstanding.”
The officer emphasised that the payment was made informally. “The money was paid in cash,” he said.
Gun was never found
The investigating officer expressed frustration at the inability of authorities to recover the gun, despite extensive efforts.
“We did everything we could to locate the firearm, but we have not found it,” he told the court. “We deployed K-9 units, conducted a full sweep of the property, and even had divers search a dirty swimming pool. Despite all these resources, we came up with nothing.”
He added that the lack of cooperation from the accused has hindered the investigation. “Both accused are not revealing where the firearm is,” he said, urging the court to impose a harsh sentence.
The state has called for firm penalties for Mugabe: 12 months’ direct imprisonment for pointing a firearm and months’ direct imprisonment for contravening firearm-related laws.
For Matonhodze: five years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder, 12 years’ direct imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, 12 years for defeating the ends of justice, a fine for possession of ammunition and 12 months’ imprisonment for contravening firearm laws.
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Mugabe’s cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, who was his co-accused, was also sentenced to 12 months on one count, another 12 months on a second count, three years on a third count, and a further 12 months on a fourth count. However, the court ruled that all sentences relating to the 33-year-old Matonhodze would run concurrently.
As a result, Matonhodze will serve an effective 12-month prison sentence before likewise being deported to
Bellarmine had, on April 17, pleaded guilty to charges including pointing a firearm and violating
“I met with Mr
“We did everything we could to locate the firearm, but we have not found it,” he told the court. “We deployed K-9 units, conducted a full sweep of the property, and even had divers search a dirty swimming pool. Despite all these resources, we came up with nothing.”
He added that the lack of cooperation from the accused has hindered the investigation. “
For Matonhodze: five years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder, 12 years’ direct imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, 12 years for defeating the ends of justice, a fine for possession of ammunition and 12 months’ imprisonment for contravening firearm laws.
