SA Prosecutors Want Direct Imprisonment For Chatunga Mugabe And His Co-accused

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, are expected to learn their fate on Wednesday when the Alexandra Regional Court in Johannesburg delivers sentence following their guilty pleas to a string of serious charges linked to a violent incident in the upmarket suburb of Hyde Park.

Earlier this month, Mugabe admitted to being in South Africa illegally and to pointing a firearm. The latter admission relates to an earlier incident, separate from the shooting at his Hyde Park residence, which took place just two weeks later.

Matonhodze, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, contravening immigration laws, defeating the ends of justice, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. His charges stem from a February shooting incident in which a security guard employed at the Mugabe residence was injured.

The pair, who have already spent several weeks in custody, are now set to hear their sentence after entering plea arrangements with the State in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act, following earlier delays in the proceedings.

During mitigation and aggravation arguments last week, the court heard that the injured security guard, Sipho Mahlangu, has already received R250,000 in compensation, with a further R150,000 still outstanding. The total settlement is understood to be R400,000.

Investigating officer Craig Raj told the court that despite the compensation arrangements, a severe sentence was warranted, particularly as the accused had allegedly failed to disclose the whereabouts of the firearm used in the shooting.

The State has maintained that direct imprisonment is the only appropriate outcome, arguing that both accused have shown limited remorse and have not fully cooperated with the investigation.

Prosecutors further argued that although the men pleaded guilty to some charges, including attempted murder and firearm-related offences, their failure to account for the weapon remains a serious aggravating factor.

The defence, however, urged the court to consider a suspended sentence or a substantial fine, arguing that such a penalty would be sufficient for the two Zimbabwean nationals, aged 29 and 32, who are in the country unlawfully. They contended that a suspended sentence would serve as a lasting deterrent hanging over their heads.

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