JOHANNESBURG – Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused Tobias Matonhodze will remain behind bars after their shooting case was postponed yet again, with no plea agreement reached between the State and the defence.
The Alexandra Magistrates Court pushed the matter to 17 April 2026, citing ongoing investigations and stalled negotiations, despite earlier indications that a deal was “98% complete.”
Plea Talks Collapse at Critical Stage
Prosecutors told the court they were not satisfied with what the defence had put on the table, effectively stalling progress. The defence, however, insists discussions are still ongoing and focused on the nature of the charges rather than sentencing.
Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mguni, said negotiations remain fluid, with key issues yet to be finalised as investigations continue. He dismissed claims that the defence is trying to avoid jail time, stressing that all charges are being treated with seriousness.
Magistrate Issues Final Warning
The presiding magistrate made it clear that patience is running out, warning that no further postponements will be granted and that the case must proceed on the next court date.
This raises the stakes significantly for both the prosecution and defence, who now have limited time to either finalise a plea deal or prepare for trial.
Serious Charges and No Bail
The two face a string of serious charges, including attempted murder, after a 23-year-old gardener was shot in the back at a Hyde Park property in mid-February. Additional charges include firearm offences, defeating the ends of justice, and alleged immigration violations.
Both accused had initially applied for bail but later withdrew their applications due to complications linked to immigration issues, meaning they will remain in custody until their next court appearance.
A Case Under Intense Scrutiny
The involvement of the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has placed the case under intense regional attention, with analysts noting that repeated delays risk undermining public confidence in the pace of justice.
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