Arrests and charges
Bellarmine Mugabe has admitted to illegally staying in South Africa and pointing a gun.
The 28-year old was arrested in February following a shooting at his Johannesburg home. Due to the severity of the charges and his background, the case attracted a lot of attention.
What happened during the incident?
The authorities say that the gunshots were a result of an argument in Mugabe’s home. During the argument, a 23-year old man believed to be Mugabe’s security guard tried to escape.
The victim, according to investigators, was twice shot in the back just outside of the home. The victim was taken to hospital and is in critical condition.
The police searched the home again but were unable to recover the gun used.
The Court and the Co-Accused
Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze appeared before the court in Alexandra. He confirmed briefly that he had understood the charges, and acquiesced to the plea deal.
Matonhodze (33 years old) pleaded guilty on several counts. They include attempted murder and illegal immigration. Possession of ammunition is also included.
The prosecution has not clarified what became of the previous attempted murder charges filed against Mugabe.
The date of deportation or sentencing is possible
The sentencing has been postponed until 24 April. The court has postponed sentencing until 24 April.
Prior Legal Trouble
Mugabe has had a run-in before with the law. Authorities arrested Mugabe in Beitbridge, 2024 for allegedly attacking a policeman.
Later, he was released with bail. However, he failed to show up in court. A warrant was issued for his arrest by officials.
