CHATUNGA MUGABE COMPENSATION FOR GARDENER PROBE

_Case postponed to 24 April_

Gardener identified as Sipho Mahlangu

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, has pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm and violating South Africa’s immigration laws after a shooting left a gardener hospitalised.

It is expected that Bellarmine Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze will contest some charges while admitting guilt to others.

Bellarmine Mugabe and co-accused Tobias Matonhodze appeared in the Alexandra Regional Court on Friday after several postponements.

The pair face multiple charges stemming from a February shooting at the Mugabe residence in Hyde Park, in which a 23-year-old gardener, now identified as Sipho Mahlangu, was shot and hospitalised. Mahlangu’s nationality has not been revealed.

Mugabe pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm and contravening immigration laws. Both accused entered guilty pleas to more serious charges, including attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, illegal immigration, and possession of ammunition.

During mitigation, Mugabe’s counsel, Adv Laurence Hodes, told the court his client is willing to pay a fine, seeks a non-custodial sentence, and will cover the costs of his own deportation to Zimbabwe.

Hodes requested suspended sentences for both accused, arguing that would serve as sufficient warning. He also proposed a monetary fine and compensation for the victim.

The investigating officer told the court Matonhodze is undocumented in South Africa. Authorities previously said the firearm used in the shooting was missing, but the officer confirmed the weapon used to commit the offence was illegal. Both accused were at the scene.

The matter was postponed to 24 April to establish whether the victim has been compensated and to obtain details on the whereabouts of the firearm.