Bellarmine, 28, had been in custody since mid-February alongside his cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, following an altercation that led to the shooting of a gardener at the family’s home in the Hyde Park area.
A South African court has ordered the deportation of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of Zimbabwe’s late former leader Robert Mugabe, over his involvement in a shooting incident at a residence in Johannesburg.
Bellarmine, 28, had been in custody since mid-February alongside his cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, following an altercation that led to the shooting of a gardener at the family’s home in the Hyde Park area.
The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court heard that after a failed plea bargain, Bellarmine admitted to residing illegally in South Africa and to pointing a toy gun in a separate incident.
Matonhodze, 32, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other related charges.
The court fined Bellarmine 600,000 rand or imposed a 24-month prison sentence if he fails to pay.
It further ordered his immediate deportation, directing authorities to escort him to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Presiding magistrate Reiner Boshoff told Bellarmine he was fortunate the victim was not injured during the incident.
Boshoff also noted uncertainty over whether Matonhodze had taken responsibility on behalf of his cousin in the shooting case.
Matonhodze was sentenced to up to three years in prison, with the terms to run concurrently.
The court described the sentence as lenient, citing mitigating factors including compensation paid to the victim.
Investigators revealed that the gardener received 250,000 rand in cash, with an additional 150,000 rand promised.
The firearm used in the incident has not been recovered since the suspects were arrested on February 19.
Bellarmine is one of two sons Robert Mugabe had with his second wife, Grace Mugabe.
The brothers have reportedly lived in Johannesburg at different times and are known for their lavish lifestyle.
Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades before he was removed from power in 2017. He died in 2019 at the age of 95.
AFP
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