Mugabe to spend another week in jail after plea hearing postponed
The case of attempted murder against the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and his co-accused has been postponed yet again.
Bellarmine Mugabe and Tobias Matonhdze appeared briefly before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The postponement is due to the absence of the state prosecutor.
The court was expected to hear the plea negotiations after the accused abandoned their bail application last week.
The pair was arrested last month following a shooting incident at the Mugabe residence in Hyde Park, where a gardener was allegedly shot and seriously injured.
Mugabe and Matonhdze face several charges, including attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni said they are 80% ready to commence with plea negotiations.
“Unfortunately, the senior prosecutor wasn’t in court today. We are hoping that we can finalise the plea negotiations when we return next week.” Mnguni said.
Outside the court, dozens of ActionSA members staged a protest calling for the accused to be deported to Zimbabwe. This comes after it emerged that the 28-year-old is also facing a charge related to alleged violations of South Africa’s immigration laws.
The matter has been postponed to next week Tuesday, 24 March.
