Johannesburg – The bail application for 28-year-old Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, 33-year-old Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze, was postponed after a brief appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.
The pair, who face charges of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice, appeared in court on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
The accused’s entrance into the court attracted photographers’ attention when they noticed the pair were chained together at the legs.
The cameras went off as the pair hobbled into the dock.
They were arrested following a February 19 shooting at Mugabe’s upscale Hyde Park residence, where a 23-year-old gardener was allegedly shot in the back during a dispute.
Police reportedly recovered bullet cartridges, but the firearm remains missing, fueling the justice-obstruction charge.
The pair have been behind bars since the shooting.
However, the bail hearing, initially scheduled for today, has been rescheduled to Thursday, 5 March 2026, due to technical disruptions and outstanding documentation, including verification of the accused’s immigration status by the Department of Home Affairs.
Bellarmine Mugabe is the youngest son of the late Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe.
Prosecutors are opposing bail, citing risks linked to Bellarmine Mugabe’s prominent background and ongoing investigations.
