Mugabe’s son pleads guilty in South Africa

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s former leader Robert Mugabe, pleaded guilty on Friday to illegal entry into South Africa and pointing a firearm in a separate incident.

He denied attempted murder charges related to the shooting of his gardener in Johannesburg’s Hyde Park district. The gardener was badly wounded.

Mugabe, 29, appeared in court alongside his cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, 32. Both had been in police custody since February 19 on attempted murder charges.

Matonhodze pleaded guilty to attempted murder, as well as contravening immigration and firearm laws.

The firearm used in the shooting has not been recovered.

Mugabe’s counsel, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, told the court that plea and sentencing discussions with the state had collapsed “at the last minute.” He dismissed suggestions that Matonhodze was taking responsibility for Mugabe’s actions, calling the claims “very ludicrous.”

The case was adjourned to April 24.

Bellarmine is one of two sons born to Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace. The brothers have lived in Johannesburg at times, where they have gained a reputation for a high-profile lifestyle.

Robert Mugabe died in 2019. He was in power for 37 years before being ousted in a 2017 coup.

SOURCE: AFP