South African Police Colonel Throws Chatunga Under The Bus, Denies Arranging Financial Settlement For Shooting Victim
A South African police officer has denied allegations that he facilitated a financial settlement between Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, and the victim of a February shooting at the Mugabe residence.
Testifying at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the investigating officer, Colonel CJ Raj, firmly rejected claims that he was involved in any agreement or payment between the accused and the complainant, Sipho Mahlangu.
His evidence contradicted submissions by Mugabe’s defence team, which told the court that compensation was paid with the colonel’s knowledge after the two families approached the complainant.
Colonel Raj maintained that no such settlement had been facilitated and told the court that police are still searching for the firearm used in the incident.
“Based on the attempted murder, a firearm was used to commit this crime; we are still looking for this firearm,” Raj said.
He said the pair had “shown no remorse” by refusing to assist police in tracing the weapon, despite both being present when the victim was injured.
The legal stakes remain high for the high-profile duo. Mugabe has admitted to being in South Africa illegally and to pointing a firearm, though his defence argues it was merely a “toy gun”.
Matonhodze, meanwhile, has pleaded guilty to more serious charges, including attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The charges relate to an incident in which Mahlangu, a security guard, was shot twice in the back at a residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, in February.
Both men were present at the scene, but only Matonhodze admitted to the shooting.
Defence lawyer Laurence Hodes has proposed a financial settlement to secure their return to Zimbabwe.
“Should this court be inclined to impose a fine, albeit a hefty fine… both accused are in a position to pay as they have the money set aside,” Hodes argued.
He suggested that a fine would bring “finality” to the matter, saying the money could be paid over the weekend, with tickets to Zimbabwe arranged by Monday.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni rejected claims that Matonhodze was “taking the fall” for Bellarmine.
“Ultimately, the parties are at liberty to plead to the charges put to them, and those pleas are entered freely and voluntarily by each accused,” Mnguni said, adding that any suggestion otherwise would be to “sensationalise the matter”.
The case was postponed for further investigation into the missing firearm and the alleged victim’s compensation.
