JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A South African court on Wednesday ordered the deportation of the youngest son of the late former president Robert Mugabe, implicated in the shooting of a gardener after an altercation.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe has been in custody since mid-February alongside his cousin and co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, on attempted murder charges stemming from an incident at the family’s home in Johannesburg’s upscale Hyde Park district.
After a failed plea deal, Mugabe, 28, admitted to being in South Africa illegally and to pointing a toy gun in a separate incident, while Matonhodze, 32, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges.
The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court fined Mugabe R600,000 ($36,000) on two counts, or 24 months’ imprisonment in default.
It also ordered his immediate deportation, with police to escort him to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
“Mr Mugabe, you can count yourself very lucky that the complainant in your case was not injured,” magistrate Reiner Boshoff ruled, adding it was unclear whether Matonhodze had “taken the rap” for his cousin in the case involving the gardener.
Matonhodze received concurrent prison terms of up to three years, which the court described as “merciful,” citing, among other mitigating factors, that the complainant had been compensated.
He will be deported after serving his sentence.
Investigators told the court the gardener Sipho Mahlangu had been paid R400,000 ($24,000) in cash.
The court heard that Mahlangu had withdrawn his complaint but prosecutors pressed on as he faced crimes against the state.
The firearm used in the shooting has not been recovered since the two were arrested on February 19.
Bellarmine is one of two sons that Robert Mugabe had with his second wife Grace. The brothers have at times lived in Johannesburg, where they have gained a reputation for partying and living the high life. – AFP
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