The bail application of attempted murder accused Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe was abruptly halted at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after he and his co-accused opted to abandon their bid for release and instead pursue plea negotiations with the State.
Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, appeared in court alongside co-accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhdze in connection with a February shooting incident that left a 23-year-old man seriously wounded.
The pair had initially applied for bail following their arrest last month, but proceedings were delayed after technical problems, including a power outage, disrupted the court session last week.
When the matter resumed on Wednesday, the defence informed the court that both accused had decided to abandon their bail application entirely. Instead, they will enter into discussions with prosecutors regarding a possible plea arrangement.
The case has now been transferred to the regional court and is expected to return to court on March 17.
Mugabe and Matonhdze face several charges, including attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and defeating the ends of justice. The charges stem from a shooting at Mugabe’s upmarket home in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, where a 23-year-old gardener was shot and seriously injured.
Authorities allege the victim was wounded during an altercation at the property. Emergency services later transported him to hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.
Investigators are still searching for the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Police confirmed the weapon has not yet been recovered, which continues to complicate aspects of the investigation.
Sources who spoke to African Times on condition of anonymity claim the firearm may have been removed from the scene shortly after the shooting. According to these sources, the weapon was allegedly taken by foreign nationals who are known figures in Johannesburg’s nightclub and entertainment scene and are said to have associations with the Mugabe family.
Police have not officially confirmed these claims, but investigations into the missing firearm remain ongoing.
The State had earlier indicated it intended to oppose bail should the application proceed, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns around the unrecovered weapon.
Legal experts say the decision by the accused to abandon bail and pursue plea negotiations could signal an attempt to resolve the matter more quickly through the courts.
The case continues to draw public attention due to the high-profile background of the accused and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Prosecutors are expected to outline the State’s position when the matter returns to court next week.
