Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze will remain in custody after appearing before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on charges linked to a shooting incident in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.
The two face charges of attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The matter was postponed to March 3, with both accused remanded in custody.
The charges stem from an incident last week in which a 23-year-old employee at a Hyde Park residence was shot and left in critical condition.
Police have confirmed that a cartridge was recovered at the scene, but the firearm allegedly used in the shooting has not been located despite extensive searches by K9 units and forensic teams. Authorities say the missing weapon forms a central element of the State’s case and underpins the charge of defeating the ends of justice.
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South African Police Service earlier described the circumstances surrounding the shooting as unclear, noting that investigations are still at a preliminary stage.
Ahead of the court appearance, Mugabe’s lawyer, Jason Saus, told SABC News that his client was in good spirits. He said the defence was still taking instructions and declined to comment further in order not to compromise ongoing investigations.
Saus also indicated that the defence had not been formally notified of the charge relating to defeating the ends of justice prior to the proceedings.
Court proceedings are set to resume on the postponed date.
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