It is double jeopardy for Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, youngest son of former Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe as he has been fined R400, 000 by a South African Court.
He faces deportation to Zimbabwe afterwards for offences bordering on immigration violations and pointing a gun.
The rulings were handed down by Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg after Mugabe, who appeared alongside co-accused Tobias Matonhodze, pleaded guilty.
The court imposed a fine of 400,000 rand (about US$24,000) on him for pointing a toy gun, and another 200,000 rand for breaching South Africa’s immigration laws.
Though the specific immigration law he breached was not stated, Mugabe, who had been in custody since his arrest in February, following a guilty plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors, faces deportation afterwards.
Reports show that unlike Mugabe however, Matonhodze, faced more serious charges, attempted murder, to which he had pleaded guilty, having been connected with a shooting incident at a Johannesburg mansion where Mugabe was staying.
He was sentenced to three years in prison and will also be deported after serving his term.
The court heard that the victim, a security guard, was shot during the incident and has since received partial compensation of 250,000 rand, with a further 150,000 rand still outstanding.
Investigators told the court that the firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered, raising concerns about unresolved aspects of the case.
Other reports monitored by our correspondent indicate widespread attention to the case, ostensibly for reason of the caliber of persons involved.
READ ALSO: Pictures Of One Of Africa’s Worst Despots You May Not Have Seen
READ ALSO: I Caught My Husband Cheating With My Younger Sister And …
It will be recalled that the father, Robert Mugabe, had led both the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) from 1975 to 1980 and its successor political party, the ZANU – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF).
At the dawn of independence in 1980, he became president and remained so for forty years, before being removed from power in 2017. He died in 2019 at the age of 95.
He served as the first Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, second president of Zimbabwe, as well as the Leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union amongst other key positions.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
He has worked with the Daily Times, Daily Independent, Financial Standard and Business Television to mention some.
His ongoing Corporate Communications Master Class training series equips learners with credible hands-on skills for effective Media Relations, Public Communications & Corporate Affairs amongst others.
He can be contacted via 09165809519 or 08180335778.