Chatunga Mugabe Pleads to Lesser Charges, Matonhodze Takes Fall for Hyde Park Shooting Case?

Johannesburg - Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe's late president Robert Mugabe, has pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm and violating South Africa's immigration laws in a Johannesburg court.

The 29-year-old appeared alongside his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, at the Alexandra Magistrates' Court on Friday, April 17, where he entered partial guilty pleas as part of a deal that saw the more serious charge of attempted murder dropped against him.

Matonhodze, described in some reports as a cousin or associate of Mugabe, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice and illegal immigration.

The case stems from an incident on 19 February at Mugabe's residence in the affluent Hyde Park suburb of Johannesburg.

Police say Sipho Mahlangu, a 23-year-old employee at the property identified as a gardener, was shot twice and critically injured during an alleged altercation.

He remains in hospital.

The firearm used in the shooting has not been recovered, despite a police search of the property.

Both men have been in custody since their arrest shortly after the incident.

In court on Friday, state prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri told the Magistrate that further investigations were needed, including verification of any compensation paid to the victim and continued efforts to locate the missing weapon.

The case was adjourned until 24 April.

Mugabe, who has previously faced legal issues in South Africa related to his immigration status and public behaviour, denied involvement in the shooting itself but admitted to pointing a gun in a separate incident.