Bellarmine Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze Drop Bail Bid, Pair Seek Plea Deal in Attempted Murder Case
- Bellarmine Mugabe and co‑accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze made another appearance before the Alexandra Magistrate's Court
- The pair are charged with attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and contravention of the Immigration Act, among others
- The legal team for the accused indicated that they were both abandoning their scheduled bail applications
Source: Twitter
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - Bellarmine Mugabe and co‑accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze have abandoned their bail application.
The legal team for Mugabe (28) and Matonhodze (33) announced the decision during a brief appearance before the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on 11 March 2026. The case against the son of the former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, and his co-accused has now been postponed to 17 March 2025 and transferred to the regional court.
Mugabe and Matonhodze were arrested on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at Mugabe’s Hyde Park home in Johannesburg. They were arrested following the shooting of a 23-year-old employee at the property, but the weapon used in the commission of the crime has not yet been found.
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The defendants are charged with attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, pointing a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Mugabe and Matonhodze want a plea agreement
During their brief appearance, the legal team for the accused indicated that their clients wanted to enter plea negotiations with the State.
A plea and sentence agreement allows the matter to be resolved without proceeding to a full trial. The accused agrees to plead guilty to charges in exchange for a lesser sentence. The defence did not indicate whether the pair intend to plead guilty to all charges or some of them.
They will remain behind bars until their next appearance. The lawyers for the accused also said that the State informed them that their clients are illegal in the country.
How did South Africans react to the news?
Social media users shared mixed reactions to the fact that Mugabe and Matonhodze abandoned their bail.
Leon Rossouw asked:
“Why isn't he in the fantastic country that his father created?”
Nhamoinesu Panyadzonya Phiri questioned:
“Is it advice from their legal counsel? Or maybe a gimmick at play.”
Khutso Macdonald Mphelo stated:
“It’s obvious that he is going home (deported).”
Evans Lite agreed:
“This simply means they will be deported after the finalisation of this matter, and when they land in Zimbabwe, they will be acquitted.”
Garland Michael claimed:
“There are too many foreign nationals who own properties in SA, and they have false documents.”
Sboniso Duduzela questioned:
“How can you even shoot someone in a foreign country that you entered illegally?”
Other stories about Mugabe's arrest
Briefly News reported that there have been several updates since Mugabe's arrest at his Hyde Park home.
- Grace Mugabe, the wife of the late Robert Mugabe, reacted after her son was arrested in Hyde Park.
- The South African Police Service (SAPS) confiscated a vehicle, which was found outside the premises.
- Police reported that a scuffle between the SAPS and the suspects broke out before Mugabe was arrested.
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Source: Briefly News
