The son of late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has been sentenced to pay heavy fines or face imprisonment after pleading guilty to pointing a firearm and immigration violations in South Africa.
Bellermine Chatunga Mugabe (28) appeared alongside his co-accused, Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze (33), in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court, where both men were sentenced following guilty pleas entered on 17 April.
Mugabe was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment or a fine of R400 000 for pointing a firearm, and 18 months’ imprisonment or a fine of R200 000 for contravening the Immigration Act. Matonhodze received an effective term of three years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder.
The court also ordered the deportation of Mugabe, with police to escort him to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
The charges stem from a violent incident at Mugabe’s Hyde Park residence on 19 February, during which a security guard was shot in the back whilst attempting to flee an altercation.
According to court documents, the complainant was assaulted during a confrontation with the accused before being shot as he tried to escape. He collapsed outside the gate and was discovered by a neighbouring security guard, who alerted police.
During court proceedings, it came to light that the victim Sipho Mahlangu, had received a payment of R250 000 for his silence, with a further R150 000 allegedly promised.
In his plea statement, Matonhodze admitted to shooting the complainant. Forensic evidence presented to the court confirmed the presence of gunshot residue on his hands. Mugabe pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm during the incident, as well as to separate charges of contravening immigration legislation.
Regional Court Prosecutor Godfrey Maphiri argued in aggravation of sentence that both accused had shown blatant disregard for South African law. He submitted that Mugabe had remained unlawfully in the country for a prolonged period whilst engaging in serious criminal conduct.
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The court accepted the State’s submissions and handed down sentences that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said reflect the severity of the crimes.
“These sentences send an unequivocal message that violent criminal conduct, coupled with disregard for the laws of South Africa, will attract firm consequences. No individual is above the law,” the NPA said in a statement.
The case has attracted significant attention due to Mugabe’s family connections. His father, Robert Mugabe, served as Zimbabwe’s president from 1987 until his removal from power in 2017, and died in 2019.
The NPA reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law regardless of the accused’s background or status.
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