Robert Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April 2026, where he pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm and to being in South Africa illegally, as plea negotiations regarding the more serious charges against him edge towards a final resolution.
Mugabe, 32, was arrested on 19 February 2026 at his Hyde Park home in Johannesburg after an employee at the residence was shot.
He and his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, face charges of pointing a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice arising from the incident.
The plea deal that could see him deported
Rather than proceeding to a full trial on attempted murder charges, Mugabe’s legal representatives have been in advanced plea negotiations with the State for several weeks.
The proposed agreement, which was first reported by News24 in late March 2026, would see Mugabe accept a suspended sentence, financial compensation for the victim and deportation from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
A second option under discussion would require co-accused Matonhodze to carry the guilty plea on the charges while Mugabe’s family provides the agreed financial compensation to the victim.
The case had been postponed several times, including in March 2026 when prosecutors failed to appear in court.
EWN reported on 17 April 2026 that the defence and the State returned to court on Friday for what was described as a final appearance, with the guilty pleas on the firearm possession and immigration charges entered as proceedings continued.
“The State can confirm that plea negotiations in this matter are ongoing,” a National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson was quoted as saying in earlier reporting on the case.
“We are not in a position to confirm the terms of any agreement until it has been finalised and placed before the court.”
Who is Bellarmine Mugabe?
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is the younger son of the late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace Mugabe. He had been living in South Africa prior to his arrest.
This is not his first brush with controversy: he was previously reported to have lived a high-profile lifestyle in Johannesburg and Dubai before returning to South Africa.
His co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, faces the same charges and was also present in court on Friday. Bail has not been granted to either accused during the proceedings.
What happens next in the case
The matter was expected to return before the court later in April for sentencing or further procedural steps, depending on the outcome of Friday’s hearing. If the plea agreement is finalised, Mugabe will be deported to Zimbabwe and will be prohibited from returning to South Africa.
The victim, whose identity has not been made public, is central to the compensation terms being negotiated.
The case represents one of the most high-profile criminal matters currently before the Johannesburg courts, drawing sustained public interest given the political and familial history attached to the Mugabe name across southern Africa.
