In a dramatic turn of events, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, is set to be deported back to Zimbabwe following a court ruling in South Africa. This decision comes in the wake of a series of legal troubles that have marred his reputation, exacerbated by a violent incident that occurred at the Mugabe family residence in Johannesburg just two months prior.
Court Ruling and Charges
On 29 April 2026, a South African court handed down a fine of 600,000 rand (£26,770) to Mugabe after he pleaded guilty to immigration violations and firearms-related offences. The magistrate, Renier Boshoff, also ordered his immediate deportation after a series of legal missteps that culminated in the shocking shooting of an employee at his family home.
The incident, which occurred on 19 February, saw an employee, Sipho Mahlangu, shot in the back, leading to serious criminal charges against Mugabe and his cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze. While Matonhodze was sentenced to three years in prison for attempted murder and various other offences, Mugabe was spared a custodial sentence but faced significant financial penalties.
The Violent Incident
The court proceedings revealed a troubling narrative surrounding the shooting incident. Prosecutors had initially sought severe penalties for both men, but the case took a different trajectory when it was disclosed that Mahlangu had been compensated for his suffering. During the hearing, the investigating officer, Raj Ramchunder, stated that Mahlangu received 250,000 rand (£11,150), with
