More nights in jail: Mugabe’s son’s case postponed again over plea deal delays

The son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, will spend more nights behind bars as their case has been postponed once again.

The case was postponed because the State says it has not finalised plea agreements.

The pair appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, where it reportedly emerged that no plea agreement has yet been reached between the State and the defence.

Prosecutors reportedly indicated dissatisfaction with the terms proposed by the defence.

The matter has been postponed until April 17 for further investigation. The two will remain in custody.

The case has faced multiple postponements since proceedings began, with the most recent delay having been caused by a power outage.

Last week, the accused abandoned their bail applications and signalled their intention to resolve the matter through a plea agreement.

The case had already been postponed the previous week to allow for negotiations.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, where their case was postponed once again.

Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni previously said discussions were at an advanced stage but could not be concluded because a senior public prosecutor was unavailable.

“We placed on record what transpired in negotiations between the State and the defence. The discussions are at an advanced stage,” Mnguni said.

“Unfortunately, the senior public prosecutor was not available today to conclude the negotiations so that we could proceed with the plea.”

Mnguni expressed optimism that the matter would be finalised when it returns to court.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to conclude the plea and finalise the matter then,” he said.

He declined to provide further details but confirmed that negotiations were ongoing.

State prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri reportedly told the court the plea agreement is awaiting input from a senior prosecutor who was unavailable due to other commitments.

The State requested additional time to finalise the agreement, leading to Tuesday’s postponement. Both accused remain in custody.

Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, and Matonhodze face multiple charges, including attempted murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, theft, pointing a firearm, and contravening the Immigration Act.

They are accused of shooting a 23-year-old employee at Mugabe’s Hyde Park home in February, leaving the victim in a critical condition. The firearm used in the incident has not been recovered.

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