Overview
- Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and co-accused Tobias Matonhodze appeared in an Alexandra court on March 17, but the matter was postponed to March 24 due to the senior prosecutor’s absence.
- Both the state and the defence said plea discussions are at an advanced stage, with the defence indicating they are about 98% complete and likely to be finalised next week.
- The accused previously abandoned their bail applications as negotiations with prosecutors progressed.
- Charges include attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, pointing a firearm, and defeating the ends of justice, with Mugabe also charged under the Immigration Act.
- The case follows a February 19 shooting at the Hyde Park residence in which a 23-year-old gardener was seriously injured, and some counts trace back to a separate incident reported in 2023.