Robert Mugabe’s Son Chatunga Walks Free, Cousin Tobias Matonhodze To Spend 3 Years In Direct Prison
Robert Mugabe’s son Chatunga Bellarmine has avoided jail after being fined, while his cousin Tobias Matonhodze has been sentenced to three years in direct imprisonment following a high-profile Johannesburg shooting case.
The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court delivered its ruling on 29 April 2026 after both men had spent more than two months in custody.
Magistrate Balances Justice And Mercy
The court made it clear that both punishment and fairness were considered. The magistrate addressed the conduct of the accused in strong terms.
“You have spent more than two months in prison,” the magistrate said.
“Entitlement and arrogance should not control us.”
The magistrate added that the court sought to strike a balance.
“The court will balance justice and mercy, but mercy is not sympathy.”
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the convictions followed guilty pleas entered earlier in April 2026. The authority confirmed that both accused admitted to multiple charges stemming from a violent incident in February.
Chatunga Mugabe Fined And Set For Deportation
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, was handed financial penalties instead of prison time.
He was sentenced to:
- A fine of R400,000 (approximately US$21,500 or 24 months in prison for the firearm-related offence
- A fine of R200,000 (approximately US$10,700 or 18 months in prison for immigration violations
The court confirmed that Mugabe would be deported immediately after sentencing.
Earlier proceedings revealed that Mugabe had pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm and being in South Africa unlawfully. He denied involvement in the attempted murder charge linked to the February 19, 2026, shooting in Hyde Park.
His legal team had indicated his willingness to pay fines and cover deportation costs.
Tobias Matonhodze Gets Direct Prison Term
In contrast, co-accused Tobias Matonhodze received a custodial sentence after admitting to more serious offences.
The court imposed multiple sentences, including:
- 12 months
- 12 months
- 3 years in prison
- 12 months
All sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective three-year prison term.
The magistrate noted that Matonhodze had placed himself at the mercy of the court by pleading guilty.
“You put yourself at the mercy of the court by pleading guilty,” the magistrate stated.
Matonhodze admitted to attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, and immigration violations.
The charges stem from a February 2026 incident at a Hyde Park residence, where a security guard was shot in the back while attempting to flee. The firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered.
Authorities confirmed that both men had been in custody since their arrest shortly after the incident.d
The post Chatunga Mugabe Walks Free As Cousin Tobias Matonhodze Gets 3 Years In Prison appeared first on iHarare News.
