Mugabe’s Son Pleads Guilty To Separate Gun Incident As Cousin Confesses To Shooting Sipho Mahlangu
Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe, has pleaded guilty to a separate gun incident and immigration offences, and offered to fund his own deportation to Zimbabwe, while his cousin Tobias Matonhodze confessed in court to shooting Sipho Mahlangu twice in the back and admitted to multiple serious charges.
The pleas were entered on Friday, 17 April 2026, at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg. Both men have been in custody since 19 February 2026 following a shooting at Mugabe’s Hyde Park residence.
Full Breakdown Of Charges Against Each Accused
The court heard that the two accused pleaded guilty to different charges tied to separate aspects of the case.
Bellarmine Mugabe pleaded guilty to:
- Pointing a firearm
- Contravening immigration laws (being in South Africa illegally)
The firearm charge relates to a separate, unrelated incident that was incorporated into the same proceedings.
Tobias Matonhodze pleaded guilty to:
- Attempted murder
- Defeating the ends of justice
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of ammunition
- Contravening immigration laws (being in South Africa illegally)
He has been convicted on all counts to which he pleaded guilty.
“I shot him twice in the back,” Matonhodze admitted in his plea.
Following this admission, the attempted murder charge against Mugabe was withdrawn. The proceedings did not establish that Mugabe fired the weapon.
Defence And State Arguments In Court
The defence was led by Advocate Laurence Hodes SC, who addressed the court on behalf of the accused during mitigation.
He argued for leniency and non-custodial sentences.
“The accused is willing to pay a fine,” Hodes told the court.
He further submitted that Mugabe was prepared to leave South Africa at his own cost.
“He is willing to fund his own deportation to Zimbabwe.”
Hodes also asked the court to consider suspended sentences for both accused:
“A suspended sentence will serve as a warning, together with a monetary fine and compensation to the victim.”
On the other hand, the state called the investigating officer, Colonel Raj, who highlighted aggravating factors in the case.
“Tobias Matonhodze is undocumented in South Africa.”
He added:
“A firearm was used to commit the offence, and it was illegal.”
The state also raised concerns about the conduct of the accused following the incident, including issues around cooperation and the missing firearm.
What Happened On 19 February
The shooting followed a dispute at Mugabe’s Hyde Park home in Johannesburg.
Sipho Mahlangu, believed to have been working as a security guard, was shot while attempting to flee the property.
“The victim was shot twice in the back as he tried to escape,” the court heard.
He sustained critical injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Police later searched the property but failed to recover the firearm used in the shooting. The weapon remains missing.
The court heard that the firearm used in the attack was illegal.
Mugabe Offers Deportation As Defence Pushes For Leniency
With guilty pleas entered, the case has moved into the sentencing phase.
Proceedings were postponed to 24 April 2026 to allow for mitigation, including proof that the victim has been compensated and possible cooperation in locating the missing firearm.
“He is prepared to pay a fine and fund his own deportation to Zimbabwe,” the court was told on Mugabe’s behalf.
The defence also requested suspended sentences for both accused, alongside financial penalties and compensation to the victim.
However, the state stressed the seriousness of the offence:
“A firearm was used to commit the offence, and it was illegal.”
What The Court Will Decide Next
The case has now moved into the sentencing phase, with proceedings postponed to 24 April 2026.
The court is expected to consider several factors before handing down a sentence. These include whether Sipho Mahlangu has been compensated and whether the accused assist in locating the missing firearm.
Matonhodze faces the possibility of a custodial sentence due to the attempted murder conviction.
Mugabe’s case will be assessed separately, with the court weighing his guilty plea, the fact that his firearm charge relates to a different incident, and his offer to fund his own deportation.
The final outcome will determine whether the accused receive prison sentences, fines, or deportation.
The post Mugabe’s Son Pleads Guilty To Separate Gun Incident As Cousin Confesses To Shooting Sipho Mahlangu appeared first on iHarare News.
