WITH the fire-arm still missing, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, has been hit-hard with a fine of R600 000 and ordered to be deported with immediate effect, after pleading guilty in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg, today.
The former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s youngest Bellarmine, appeared alongside cousin and co-accused Tobias Matonhodze.
Mugabe entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to two counts: pointing an object resembling a firearm in a separate incident and violating immigration laws.
Under the agreement, the attempted murder charge was not pursued against him.
With the fire-arm still missing, in February Mugabe and his co-accused, were arrested after they allegedly shot their gardener at Hyde Park, who was then rushed to hospital.
They were both charged with attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, defeating the ends of justice and contravention of immigration laws after they were found to be in the country illegally.
The magistrate imposed fines totalling R600 000 — R400 000 for the firearm-related offence and R200 000 for the immigration offence.
The court also ordered Mugabe’s deportation to Zimbabwe when legal formalities were completed.
Police were instructed to escort him to the airport with immediate effect. His lawyer also accompanied him.
Matonhodze was handed down three-year prison sentence and will be deported after completing the sentence.
Police indicated that the investigation into the shooting had been concluded after the court ruling.
Image provided (Off to Zim. From left- Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, has been fined and ordered to be deported at once, recorded alongside co-accused Matonhodze.)
