Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of the late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, must pay GHS 538,000 in fines and will be deported from South Africa. A magistrate made this decision on Wednesday at the Alexandra Magistrates' Court in Johannesburg. Mugabe pleaded guilty to two charges.
The 29-year-old admitted to brandishing an object that could make someone believe it was a firearm. He also pleaded guilty to being in South Africa without the proper papers, meaning he violated immigration rules. The court heard the first charge involved a toy gun, not a real firearm. The total fines amount to 400,000 rand for the toy gun incident, which is about GHS 270,034. He also received a 200,000 rand fine, about GHS 135,017, for overstaying his welcome in the country. If he cannot pay these fines, he faces two years in prison.
This situation fits into a larger pattern of legal challenges in South Africa. Many foreign nationals face strict immigration laws. The country also deals with issues of crime and public safety. The Mugabe family, once very powerful in Zimbabwe, now sees its youngest member facing the consequences of his actions within South Africa's legal system. His father, Robert Mugabe, ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being removed in a coup in 2017.
Magistrate Renier Boshoff gave no time for Bellarmine Mugabe to pack his bags. He ordered police to escort him directly from the courtroom to a Johannesburg airport. From there, he is to be sent back to Zimbabwe right away. The specific details of his immigration violation were not fully shared with the public. However, his stay in South Africa was confirmed as unlawful.
The legal issues began in February after a violent incident at a Johannesburg mansion where Mugabe lived. He and his cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, were arrested after a shooting. An employee at the house was shot twice in the back. Investigators told the court the injured employee received 250,000 rand in compensation. Another 150,000 rand payment is still expected.
Bellarmine Mugabe agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges through a deal with prosecutors. These were not directly related to the shooting itself. His cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, faced more serious charges. Matonhodze pleaded guilty to attempted murder and trying to obstruct justice related to the shooting. The court sentenced him to three years in prison. He will also be deported to Zimbabwe after his jail term ends. The actual gun used in the February shooting is still missing.
This court order marks an official end to Bellarmine Mugabe's residency in South Africa. It shows that prominent political names do not grant immunity from the country's laws. South Africa is enforcing its immigration and safety laws strictly. This case sends a clear message about accountability for individuals residing within its borders.