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Mugabe son paid shooting victim R400k, court told
5 hrs ago |
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The Alexandra Magistrate's Court has heard that the youngest son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and his cousin allegedly paid a shooting victim R250,000 in cash, with a further R150,000 promised, in a bid to keep him quiet.
Investigating officer Colonel Raj Ramchunder told the court that 23-year-old Sipho Mahlangu, who was shot twice in the back at the Mugabe family's Hyde Park residence in February, confirmed receiving the payment.
"He was paid R250,000, and on the same day, a promise that a further R150,000 would be paid to him in cash," Ramchunder said.
The accused, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe (28) and his cousin Tobias Matonhodze (33), appeared in court for sentencing, but the matter was postponed to next Wednesday.
Both men pleaded guilty earlier this month. Mugabe admitted to pointing a firearm at Mahlangu and to being in South Africa illegally, but avoided an attempted murder charge.
Matonhodze faces more serious charges, including attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and violating immigration laws.
The defence, led by Advocate Laurance Hodes, urged the court to impose non-custodial sentences, arguing that both men were capable of paying fines or additional compensation.
"Should this court order further reparations, both accused would be in a position to honour such an order," Hodes said, adding that the pair were also willing to cover their deportation costs.
However, Ramchunder pushed for a harsher sentence, telling the court that neither accused had cooperated with police in locating the firearm used in the shooting, which remains missing.
"Both the accused were there when the firearm was fired and injured the victim," he said. "The accused show no remorse assisting the police in any way to point out where the firearm is."
According to court proceedings, Mahlangu was shot while attempting to flee during a confrontation at the Hyde Park property and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
The case adds to a history of legal controversies involving the Mugabe family. In 2017, former first lady Grace Mugabe was accused of assaulting a model in Johannesburg but left South Africa after being granted diplomatic immunity.
The matter has been postponed for sentencing, with the court expected to deliver its ruling next week.
Investigating officer Colonel Raj Ramchunder told the court that 23-year-old Sipho Mahlangu, who was shot twice in the back at the Mugabe family's Hyde Park residence in February, confirmed receiving the payment.
"He was paid R250,000, and on the same day, a promise that a further R150,000 would be paid to him in cash," Ramchunder said.
The accused, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe (28) and his cousin Tobias Matonhodze (33), appeared in court for sentencing, but the matter was postponed to next Wednesday.
Both men pleaded guilty earlier this month. Mugabe admitted to pointing a firearm at Mahlangu and to being in South Africa illegally, but avoided an attempted murder charge.
Matonhodze faces more serious charges, including attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and violating immigration laws.
The defence, led by Advocate Laurance Hodes, urged the court to impose non-custodial sentences, arguing that both men were capable of paying fines or additional compensation.
"Should this court order further reparations, both accused would be in a position to honour such an order," Hodes said, adding that the pair were also willing to cover their deportation costs.
However, Ramchunder pushed for a harsher sentence, telling the court that neither accused had cooperated with police in locating the firearm used in the shooting, which remains missing.
"Both the accused were there when the firearm was fired and injured the victim," he said. "The accused show no remorse assisting the police in any way to point out where the firearm is."
According to court proceedings, Mahlangu was shot while attempting to flee during a confrontation at the Hyde Park property and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
The case adds to a history of legal controversies involving the Mugabe family. In 2017, former first lady Grace Mugabe was accused of assaulting a model in Johannesburg but left South Africa after being granted diplomatic immunity.
The matter has been postponed for sentencing, with the court expected to deliver its ruling next week.
Source - IOL
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