Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze are set to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The son of the late former Zimbabwean president, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, are expected to appear in court on Tuesday, with plea negotiations with the State at an advanced stage and the matter likely to be finalised this week.
The pair appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court last week on Tuesday after abandoning their bail applications and indicating their intention to resolve the case through a plea agreement.
Mugabe is the son of the late former Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe.
The case had already been postponed the previous week to allow for plea discussions.
Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni previously said negotiations between the State and the defence were progressing well, 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.”
He said the matter is expected to 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.
Asked about the status of negotiations, Mnguni declined to provide details but expressed optimism.
“Negotiations are ongoing. We represent both clients and hope the process will conclude successfully,” he said.
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, and the case was postponed to Tuesday, March 24.
Both accused remain in custody.
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.
Authorities have confirmed that both men are in South Africa illegally.
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