Online Reporter
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, and his cousin Tobias Matonhodze are expected to be sentenced on Wednesday at the Alexandra Magistrates Court in Johannesburg.
This comes after they both pleaded guilty to several charges earlier this month.
Mugabe and his cousin allegedly paid the man they shot R250,000 in cash, along with a promise of a further R150,000, to keep quiet.
The Alexandra Magistrate’s Court heard last Friday that 23-year-old Sipho Mahlangu, who was shot twice in the back at the Mugabe family’s Hyde Park residence in February, confirmed that he had received the money.
Investigating officer Colonel Raj Ramchunder told the court that Mahlangu was offered R400,000 in total.
“He was paid R250 000, and on the same day, a promise that a further R150 000 would be paid to him in cash,” Ramchunder said, adding Mahlangu confirmed this on Thursday.
Ramchunder distanced himself from the arrangement and asked the court to impose a harsh sentence.
Mugabe, 28, and Matonhodze, 33, appeared in court for sentencing, but the matter was postponed to Wednesday next week.
Both pleaded guilty earlier this month.
Mugabe admitted to pointing a firearm at Mahlangu and to being in South Africa illegally.
He avoided the attempted murder charge.
Matonhodze took the heavier fall, pleading guilty to attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and contravening the Immigration Act.
They also face charges linked to a separate incident in which Mugabe allegedly pointed a toy gun.
Their lawyer, Advocate Laurance Hodes, asked the court not to send them to prison.
“Should this court order further reparations, both accused would be in a position to honour such an order,” Hodes said.
“Should this court be inclined to impose a fine, both accused are in a position to pay.” -iol
