Mugabe's son back in SA court for sentencing

Bellarmine Mugabe and his co-accused Tobias Matonhodze are expected to be sentenced on Wednesday at the Alexandra Regional Court following their guilty pleas on multiple charges.

Mugabe admitted to being illegally in South Africa and to pointing a firearm in a separate incident that occurred two weeks before a shooting at his Hyde Park residence earlier this year.

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

The victim, Sipho Mahlangu, was shot during the incident and has since received partial compensation. The court heard that Mahlangu has been paid R250,000, with an outstanding R150,000 still due, bringing the total compensation to R400,000.

Investigating officer Craig Raj told the court in aggravation of sentence that a harsher penalty should be considered, citing the accused persons' failure to disclose the whereabouts of the firearm used in the shooting.

The pair, who have already spent several weeks in custody, will now learn their fate following a plea agreement reached with the State.