Chatunga Mugabe Case Postponed to April 17 as Plea Negotiations Stall
The high-profile attempted murder trial of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of Zimbabwe’s late president Robert Mugabe, and his co-accused was delayed again on March 24 to April 17 after a senior prosecutor failed to finalise an advanced plea deal; both accused remain in custody facing charges linked to a February shooting at their Johannesburg mansion.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Johannesburg - The attempted murder case against Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late president Robert Mugabe, and his co-accused Tobias Matonhodze was today, Tuesday, postponed to April 17 at Johannesburg’s Alexandra Magistrate’s Court after plea negotiations with prosecutors stalled.
The negotiations are said to be at an advanced but incomplete stage.
Mugabe (28) and Matonhodze (33) appeared briefly before the court as the state confirmed that a potential plea agreement was nearly finalised.
The case however could not proceed as the senior public prosecutor required to sign off on the deal was unavailable.
Both accused have been in custody since their arrest in February at their Hyde Park house and have abandoned earlier attempts to secure bail.
Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni told the court that discussions between the state and the defence were at an advanced stage.
“...the senior public prosecutor was not available today to conclude the negotiations so that we could proceed with the plea,” Mnguni said, adding that he remained hopeful the matter could be resolved at the next appearance.
State prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri said the same, noting the agreement was awaiting final input from the absent senior official due to other commitments.
The pair face a raft of serious charges including attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, pointing a firearm, theft, defeating the ends of justice and contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.
Prosecutors allege they shot a 23-year-old employee in the back at Mugabe’s luxury residence in the affluent Hyde Park suburb of Johannesburg in mid-February, leaving the victim in a critical condition.
The firearm used in the incident has not been recovered.
The case has dragged through several postponements since Mugabe’s first appearance on February 23. Early hearings focused on investigations and bail applications, which the accused later withdrew as they indicated a willingness to pursue a plea deal.
Previous delays were attributed to the need for further police inquiries and logistical issues at the magistrate’s court.
Tuesday’s hearing came just a week after the matter was rolled over to allow plea talks to continue.
