The youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former leader, Robert Mugabe, has admitted to certain offences in a South African court, while denying involvement in a shooting that left his gardener seriously injured.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 29, on Friday pleaded guilty to charges of pointing a firearm and residing illegally in South Africa. However, he rejected allegations that he shot and wounded his gardener during a dispute.
He appeared alongside his cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder. Matonhodze, 32, also admitted to violating immigration and firearm regulations.
The two men had been in custody following the incident, which occurred in Johannesburg’s upscale Hyde Park area.
Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, revealed that efforts to reach a plea and sentencing agreement with prosecutors broke down at the last moment.
“We had initially engaged with the state with the intention of finalising a plea and sentencing agreement but those discussions collapsed at the last minute,” Mugabe’s counsel Sinenhlanhla Mnguni said.
Mnguni also rejected claims that Matonhodze was taking responsibility to shield Mugabe, describing such suggestions as “very ludicrous.”
Authorities have yet to recover the firearm allegedly used in the shooting since the pair were arrested on February 19. The matter has been postponed until April 24.
Bellarmine is one of two sons Mugabe had with his second wife, Grace.
The brothers have spent periods living in Johannesburg, where they have developed a reputation for a lavish, party-driven lifestyle.
Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being removed from power in a 2017 military intervention. He died in 2019.
