Mugabe's son faces jail term in South Africa

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of late former president Robert Mugabe, could face direct imprisonment after pleading guilty in a high-profile shooting case in Hyde Park.

Appearing in the Alexandra Regional Court on Friday, Mugabe (29) admitted to pointing a firearm and violating immigration laws, while his cousin, Tobias Matonhodze (33), pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related charges. Matonhodze confessed to firing two shots that wounded 23-year-old security guard Sipho Mahlangu during a February altercation at the Mugabe family residence.

Prosecutors are seeking 12 months’ direct jail time for Mugabe on each count, while Matonhodze faces up to five years for attempted murder and an additional 12 years for firearm offences.

The court heard that Mahlangu received R250,000 as part of a R400,000 compensation agreement, with the state dismissing the payment as an attempt to silence the victim. The firearm used in the shooting remains missing.

Both men have been in custody since mid-February. Sentencing has been postponed to 29 April 2026.