Victim in case against Mugabe's son, co-accused paid R250k to hush, court told

The Alexandra Magistrates Court on Friday heard that the victim in the shooting case against Bellarmine Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze was paid to stay silent.

It came to light that he was paid R250,000, with a further R150,000 payment allegedly promised.

This follows the shooting of Sipho Mahlangu, a security guard who was shot twice in the back at a Hyde Park residence.

Mugabe and his cousin and co-accused, Matonhodze, were both present at the time.

Last week, they pleaded guilty to various charges linked to the incident, as well as a separate incident in which Mugabe allegedly pointed a toy gun.

They have petitioned the court to impose a suspended sentence or a fine.

Investigating officer Colonel Raj told the court that Mahlangu, on Thursday, confirmed that he was paid.

"He was paid a sum of R250,000, and on the same day, a further R150,000 would be paid to him in cash."

Colonel Raj told the court the firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered.

He said both the accused have not cooperated with police efforts to locate the weapon. Raj has urged the court to impose a harsh sentence.

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Meanwhile, the State has proposed lengthy direct imprisonment sentences for the duo.

Prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri asked the court for 12 months direct imprisonment to be handed down for being in the country illegally and pointing a firearm.

On the more serious charge of attempted murder, the State asked for five years direct imprisonment for attempted murder and 12 years direct imprisonment for a firearms offence.

Additionally, the prosecution proposed 12 months imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice, while suggesting a fine for the possession of ammunition.

Mugabe and Matonhodze have pleaded guilty to all the charges they are facing and asked for leniency.

However, the State has argued that the two have not shown any remorse nor cooperated with the investigation.

The matter has been postponed to 29 April for sentencing.