The youngest son of Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe has pleaded guilty to firearm-related and immigration offences in South Africa.
Bellarmine Mugabe, 28, admitted to pointing a firearm and being in the country illegally during a court appearance in Alexandra, Johannesburg. He was arrested in February after a shooting incident at his residence in the upscale suburb of Hyde Park.
Mugabe has been in custody alongside his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, who pleaded guilty to more serious charges including attempted murder, illegal possession of ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, and immigration violations.
Prosecutors initially charged Mugabe with attempted murder, but those charges were later dropped after Matonhodze admitted to firing the gun. According to South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, it was not immediately clear at the time of arrest who had pulled the trigger.
The incident occurred on 19 February, when police responded to reports of a shooting at Mugabe’s home. A 23-year-old man, believed to be a security guard, was critically injured after being shot while attempting to flee the property. Investigators say the shooting followed a dispute between the individuals involved.
Authorities have yet to recover the firearm used in the incident.
During the court proceedings, lawyers for both men indicated that their clients would be willing to return to Zimbabwe at their own expense if they avoid prison sentences.
Sentencing has been postponed to 24 April, as the court prepares to determine the penalties.
This is not Bellarmine Mugabe’s first legal issue. In recent years, he has faced multiple charges, including assault cases in Zimbabwe. Some of these matters remain unresolved.
He is one of the children of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. The late leader ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades before being removed from power in 2017.
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