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Mugabe's son to spend another week behind bars
2 hrs ago |
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Late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe's son will remain behind bars for another week after his attempted murder case was postponed on Monday to allow for a formal bail application.
Twenty-nine-year-old Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe made his first appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court alongside his bodyguard, Tobias Tamirepi Mugabe Matonhdze. The pair was arrested at a property in Hyde Park, Sandton last week following a shooting incident in which a staff member at the residence was injured.
The court heard that investigations are "far from over". Proceedings were delayed after the accused were initially taken to the Randburg Magistrate's Court in error. Magistrate Renier Boshoff reportedly expressed frustration and at one point threatened to strike the matter from the roll before the accused were eventually brought before the correct court.
Mugabe, the youngest son of Robert Mugabe and his second wife Grace Mugabe, appeared in a packed courtroom. His mother, who is reportedly in Singapore and faces an outstanding 2018 South African warrant linked to an alleged assault case involving model Gabriella Engels, was not present.
In addition to attempted murder, Mugabe and his co-accused now face charges of defeating the administration of justice and contravening the Firearms Control Act. Prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri told the court the pair were being charged under the doctrine of common purpose.
The firearm allegedly used in the incident has not been recovered. The State told the court it suspects the weapon was concealed and confirmed it remains missing. Reports indicate that police previously searched the property, including draining and inspecting a swimming pool, but the firearm had still not been located by Monday.
Maphiri further said authorities still need to conduct profiling of both accused and verify their immigration status.
Mugabe's lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, declined to comment in detail on reports that his client had collapsed in custody over the weekend, saying only that "at this stage he is fine."
The matter was postponed to 3 March for a formal bail application, with the State indicating it intends to oppose bail.
Twenty-nine-year-old Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe made his first appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court alongside his bodyguard, Tobias Tamirepi Mugabe Matonhdze. The pair was arrested at a property in Hyde Park, Sandton last week following a shooting incident in which a staff member at the residence was injured.
The court heard that investigations are "far from over". Proceedings were delayed after the accused were initially taken to the Randburg Magistrate's Court in error. Magistrate Renier Boshoff reportedly expressed frustration and at one point threatened to strike the matter from the roll before the accused were eventually brought before the correct court.
Mugabe, the youngest son of Robert Mugabe and his second wife Grace Mugabe, appeared in a packed courtroom. His mother, who is reportedly in Singapore and faces an outstanding 2018 South African warrant linked to an alleged assault case involving model Gabriella Engels, was not present.
The firearm allegedly used in the incident has not been recovered. The State told the court it suspects the weapon was concealed and confirmed it remains missing. Reports indicate that police previously searched the property, including draining and inspecting a swimming pool, but the firearm had still not been located by Monday.
Maphiri further said authorities still need to conduct profiling of both accused and verify their immigration status.
Mugabe's lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, declined to comment in detail on reports that his client had collapsed in custody over the weekend, saying only that "at this stage he is fine."
The matter was postponed to 3 March for a formal bail application, with the State indicating it intends to oppose bail.
Source - news24
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