Robert Mugabe’s son ordered to be deported from South Africa after firearms case

 Bellarmine Mugabe has also been in trouble with the law in Zimbabwe

Johannesburg, South Africa — Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe, has been ordered to be deported from South Africa following a court ruling in Johannesburg.

A magistrate court also imposed a fine of $36,000 (£26,700) on the 28-year-old after he pleaded guilty to charges including illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful residence in the country.

Mugabe was arrested in February after police were called to a residence in Johannesburg’s Hyde Park suburb, following the shooting of a 23-year-old man during an alleged altercation. The victim was left in critical condition.

Prosecutors told the court the incident stemmed from a dispute between Mugabe, his cousin Tobias Matonhodze, and another individual. The victim was reportedly shot twice in the back while attempting to flee.

Matonhodze, who also faced multiple charges including attempted murder and possession of ammunition, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.

The court heard that the firearm involved in the incident has not yet been recovered. In a separate ruling, the judge noted that a weapon linked to another charge was a toy gun, though it was capable of causing confusion.

Mugabe has previously faced legal troubles in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, including allegations of assault and immigration-related offences.

He is one of two sons of the late Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years before being removed from power in 2017.

Source: BBC News – “Robert Mugabe's son to be deported from South Africa over firearms offence”