JOHANNESBURG — The son of Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe successfully negotiated a plea agreement Friday that allowed him to dodge attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting incident in South Africa.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and co-defendant Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze have remained in custody since mid-February after being charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Sipho Mahlangu, identified by authorities as a household employee. Mahlangu required hospital treatment for his wounds.
The 28-year-old Mugabe, youngest child of the deceased Zimbabwean leader and his second spouse Grace Mugabe, entered guilty pleas to charges of brandishing what appeared to be a weapon in an unrelated matter and violating South African immigration statutes. Robert Mugabe passed away in 2019.
Matonhodze admitted guilt to five separate charges, including attempted murder, illegal firearm and ammunition possession, obstructing justice, and immigration violations.
Attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, representing both defendants, explained to media gathered outside the courthouse that prosecutors and defense teams had reached a Section 112 plea agreement following the breakdown of earlier negotiations. This type of arrangement under South African criminal law eliminates the need for a complete trial.
Defense counsel Advocate Laurence Hodes requested leniency during sentencing, emphasizing that both cousins had clean criminal records, provided financial compensation to their victim, and possessed the means to pay court-imposed penalties.
A police investigator testifying as a witness revealed that law enforcement continues searching for the weapon used in the shooting and that the defendants, who “were there at that time when the firearm was fired and injured the victim,” have refused to cooperate with the investigation.
“The accused shows no remorse in assisting the police in any way to point out the firearm. They know where the firearm is,” Lt. Col. Raj Ramchunder testified before the court.
The judge accepted both guilty pleas and scheduled sentencing for April 24.
This case recalls a 2017 incident involving Grace Mugabe, who allegedly assaulted model Gabriella Engels with an extension cord at a Johannesburg hotel, causing a forehead laceration. The South African government granted her diplomatic immunity, sparking fierce criticism from opposition politicians and human rights advocates, enabling her departure despite prosecution demands.
