Robert Mugabe’s Son Charged with Attempted Murder in South Africa
5 hours ago | Khanyisile Ngcobo, Johannesburg
Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe, has been formally charged with attempted murder during a brief court appearance in South Africa. He is slated to return for a bail hearing next week.
– Incident Details: The 28-year-old Mugabe was arrested following an incident where a 23-year-old man was shot and injured last Thursday in an upscale suburb of Johannesburg. He was apprehended alongside his bodyguard, with both remaining silent regarding the accusations.
– Court Appearance: Dressed in black, Mugabe appeared calm throughout the proceedings. He is the youngest child of Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe, who passed away in 2019, ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being ousted in 2017 at the age of 93.
– Evidence Collected: Police searching the Hyde Park property where the shooting occurred discovered bullet cartridges; however, no firearm has been located so far. Both Bellarmine Mugabe and his bodyguard, Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze, 33, face additional charges related to obstructing justice, connected to the missing weapon, according to prosecutors.
– Victim’s Condition: The victim remains hospitalized and is reported to be in critical condition. Outside the courtroom, Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, provided a brief update, stating that his client is fine while in custody.
– Details of the Shooting: Prosecutors allege that a confrontation took place between the victim and the accused within Mugabe’s home. It is claimed that as the victim tried to escape, he was shot in the back and collapsed outside the gate, which was subsequently closed, according to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority.
– Next Steps: The case against Mugabe and Matonhodze has been postponed until March 3, when a bail application will take place.
Bellarmine Mugabe’s situation underscores ongoing concerns regarding violence and justice in both South Africa and Zimbabwe. For further updates on this developing story, follow news outlets and social media platforms dedicated to African affairs.