A South African court on Wednesday ordered the deportation of the youngest son of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, accused of shooting a gardener following a dispute.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe has been in custody since mid-February along with his cousin and co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, on charges of attempted murder stemming from an incident at the family home in Johannesburg's posh Hyde Park district.
After a failed plea deal, Mugabe, 28, admitted being in South Africa illegally and brandishing a toy gun in a separate incident, while Matonhodze, 32, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges.
The Alexandra Magistrates Court fined Mugabe 600,000 rand ($36,000) on the two counts, or sentenced him to 24 months' imprisonment in default.
It also ordered their immediate deportation, with police escorting them to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport.
Magistrate Rainer Boshoff ruled, “Mr Mugabe, you can consider yourself very fortunate that the complainant in your case was not injured.” He said it was unclear whether Matonhodze had committed “rape” for his cousin in the case involving Mali.
Matonhodze received a prison sentence of up to three years, which the court described as “merciful”, noting, among other factors, that the complainant had been remunerated.
He will be deported after completing his sentence.
Investigators told the court that Mali was paid 250,000 rand ($15,000) in cash, plus a promise of 150,000 rand ($9,000).
The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered since the arrest of the duo on February 19.
Bellarmine is one of two sons that Robert Mugabe had with his second wife, Grace. The brothers have lived in Johannesburg several times, where they have gained a reputation for partying and high living.
Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades until he was ousted in a coup in 2017. He died two years later at the age of 95.