Bellarmine Mugabe, son of the late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, has been ordered deported from South Africa after sentencing in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. The 29-year-old was fined R600,000 or faced three-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to pointing an object resembling a firearm and contravening immigration laws.

The court ordered that Mugabe be deported to Zimbabwe immediately under police escort. His legal team was at court to arrange payment of the fine, secure a flight and facilitate his departure.

The ruling brings a swift end to Mugabe’s case in South Africa. Instead of serving time in a local prison, he is now being removed from the country under direct court order.

Hyde Park shooting case ends in split outcome

The case relates to a shooting incident at a residence in Hyde Park in February. Mugabe appeared in court alongside his cousin and co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze.

Matonhodze was sentenced to an effective three years in prison on four charges, including attempted murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Mugabe, by contrast, was sentenced on the offences to which he pleaded guilty.

The different sentences reflect the separate charges and the court’s view of each accused’s role in the incident.

Magistrate weighs lack of cooperation from victim

In handing down sentence, Magistrate Renier Boshoff said he considered all the circumstances, including the fact that the victim had not cooperated with police during the investigation. He also noted that the victim had been paid R400,000 to withdraw the charges.

Boshoff said this left the state with little chance of securing a conviction if the matter had proceeded to trial. He added that both accused had indicated from the outset that they intended to plead guilty.

The magistrate said both men had shown remorse and found that their conduct reflected elements of restorative justice.

Police escort ordered to OR Tambo

The court took no chances with Mugabe’s departure. Investigating officer Colonel CP Raj was ordered to escort him to OR Tambo International Airport to ensure that he leaves South Africa.

That instruction makes the deportation order immediate and enforceable. It also removes any doubt about whether Mugabe would remain in the country after sentencing.

The case now closes with two very different outcomes: one accused goes to prison, while the other is sent back to Zimbabwe under police guard. It is a high-profile end to a case that attracted intense attention because of the Mugabe name, but was ultimately decided on the charges and facts before the court.