Trial Delay Sees Mugabe’s Son Spend Another Week Behind Bars

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, will spend another week in custody after his court case was postponed in Johannesburg.

Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where proceedings were delayed after a senior prosecutor was unavailable to finalise plea negotiations.

Trial Delay Sees Mugabe’s Son Spend Another Week Behind Bars

The pair had been expected to engage in plea discussions and partial admissions with the state, but the court was told that the senior public prosecutor responsible for making the final decision was not present.

Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, who represents both accused, told the court that negotiations with the state were already at an advanced stage.

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

However, he explained that the matter could not proceed further because the senior public prosecutor was unavailable to conclude the agreement.

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

Mnguni added that both sides are hopeful the matter will be finalised when it returns to court next week.

State prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri reportedly confirmed that the proposed plea agreement still requires input from a senior prosecutor who had other commitments.

The court subsequently postponed the case to Tuesday, 24 March, to allow time for the negotiations to be finalised.

Serious Charges Against Mugabe

• Mugabe and Matonhodze face several charges, including:
• Attempted murder
• Possession of a firearm and ammunition
• Pointing a firearm
• Defeating the ends of justice
• Theft
• Contravening the Immigration Act

The charges relate to a February shooting incident at a Hyde Park home in Johannesburg, where the two men allegedly shot a 23-year-old gardener employed at the property.

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The victim was left critically injured, according to reports.

Authorities have also confirmed that the firearm allegedly used in the shooting has not yet been recovered.

The accused previously abandoned their bail applications, indicating that they intend to resolve the case through a plea agreement with the state.

Both men remain in custody until their next court appearance.