South African Court Orders Deportation of Robert Mugabe’s Son Over Illegal Entry, Toy Gun Incident

JOHANNESBURG — A South African court has ordered the deportation of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, after he admitted to being in the country illegally and to pointing a toy gun in a separate incident.

Mugabe, who had been detained since February alongside his cousin, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, was also fined approximately $36,000 (about 660,000 rand). The court ruled that he would face 24 months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.

The two men were originally arrested in connection with an attempted murder case involving a gardener in Johannesburg. Matonhodze pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to up to three years in prison. He will also be deported after serving his term.

Investigators told the court that the gardener had been paid approximately $15,000 as compensation, with an additional $9,000 promised.

The deportation order against Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe follows his admission of immigration violations and the toy gun incident. Further details on whether the toy gun charge was resolved separately or as part of the same proceedings were not immediately available.