Chatunga Mugabe To Pay R600k Or Face Jail, His Cousin Gets Three Years Direct Imprisonment

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his cousin, Tobias Tamirepi Mugabe Matonhodze, have received contrasting sentences at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court in South Africa, bringing to a close a closely watched case stemming from a violent incident in Hyde Park earlier this year.

Mugabe, who had pleaded guilty to contraventions of the Firearms Control Act and the Immigration Act, avoided an immediate custodial sentence. Magistrate Renier Boshoff, delivering judgment on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, imposed a fine of R600,000 or 24 months’ imprisonment.

The fine comprises R400,000 or 24 months in prison for pointing what was determined to be a toy gun, and a further R200,000 or 18 months for breaching immigration laws.

In contrast, his co-accused Matonhodze, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and firearm-related offences, was handed an effective three-year prison sentence.

The court sentenced Matonhodze to 12 months’ imprisonment for attempted murder, 12 months for defeating or obstructing the course of justice, three years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and a further 12 months for unlawful possession of ammunition. All sentences are to run concurrently.

In passing sentence, Magistrate Boshoff noted that both men were first-time offenders and that their guilty pleas weighed in their favour as mitigating factors.

However, he observed that the seriousness of the offences, particularly those involving firearms, warranted firm punishment.

Boshoff also remarked that the court had limited clarity on the full circumstances surrounding the February shooting at the Hyde Park residence, making it difficult to impose a prescribed minimum sentence.

Following sentencing, Mugabe is expected to be escorted to OR Tambo International Airport by an investigating officer, from where he will depart South Africa at his own expense.

“The court does not know much of the surrounding circumstances leading up to the shooting and the full extent of the injuries,” said Boshoff.

However, the continued disappearance of the firearm allegedly used in the incident was regarded by Magistrate Boshoff as a serious aggravating factor.

The court said that had the weapon been confirmed as a 9mm pistol or semi-automatic firearm, the offence would have attracted a prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

Magistrate Boshoff further questioned whether Mugabe and Matonhodze had been fully forthcoming since their arrest.

“I do not know if the second accused took the wrap for you, and I can only act on what is before me,” Boshoff said to Mugabe.

Boshoff acknowledged that both men had demonstrated what he was prepared to accept as “genuine remorse”, but warned that the matter could not always be resolved through financial compensation.

Mugabe and Matonhodze appeared visibly subdued as Boshoff urged them to reflect on their experience, before stressing that he was duty-bound to disregard any perceived status or background when passing sentence.

“I got a duty in my profession to balance, not only the right of the rich and famous, but also the normal Zimbabweans who are here. Everybody must know they are going to get a fair sentence,” said Boshoff.

Boshoff said Matonhodze faced far more serious charges, but that the mitigating factors already outlined operated in his favour.

“You put yourself at the mercy of this court by pleading guilty. So that says quite a lot in your favour,” he explained.

Although several factors were in Matonhodze’s favour, Boshoff said he nonetheless felt obliged to impose what he described as a “merciful sentence”, given the circumstances before the court.

The pair were arrested in February following a shooting incident in which a man believed to be an employee at the Mugabe family residence was injured.

The court heard that Mugabe and his cousin allegedly paid the victim R250,000 in cash, with a further R150,000 promised, in an apparent attempt to keep the matter quiet.

Last Friday, the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court was told that Sipho Mahlangu, 23, who was shot twice in the back at the Hyde Park residence, confirmed he had received part of the money.

Investigating officer Colonel Raj Ramchunder told the court the total arrangement amounted to R400,000.

Ramchunder distanced himself from any such arrangement and urged the court to impose a suitably stern sentence.

More: The Citizen