Bellarmine Mugabe abandons bail bid in shooting case

The son of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has abandoned his bail application in the Alexandra Magistrates Court.

Bellarmine Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Matondze, appeared in the dock on Wednesday.

Their legal team indicated that it wants to proceed to a plea agreement after it emerged that the two men are in South Africa illegally.

Mugabe and Matondze are accused of shooting and injuring an employee at their Hyde Park home last month.

They face seven charges, including attempted murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, contravening the Immigration Act, theft and the pointing of a firearm.

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They are expected to potentially plead guilty to some or all of the charges against them.

Mnguni said their illegal status in the country complicates the case.

“We, of course, don’t want to waste the court’s time and we understand the processes involved in applying for bail. One of the key considerations is proving that an accused is not a flight risk. At this point, we want to deal with the matter and its merits.”

The matter has now been transferred to a trial court, where details of any potential plea negotiations are expected to become clearer next Tuesday.