Bellarmine Mugabe's Bail Hearing Postponed Indefinitely as Alexandra Magistrates Court Remains Without Power

Bellarmine Mugabe's bail hearing in the Hyde Park shooting case is delayed due to power issues at Alexandra Magistrates Court. Read the latest on the 2026 charges.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 4:23 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Eyewitness News

Infrastructure Failure Halts Legal Proceedings for High-Profile Suspects

The ongoing legal saga of Bellarmine Mugabe took a frustrating turn on March 5, 2026, as the Alexandra Magistrates Court was forced to postpone the formal bail application of the 28-year-old and his co-accused, Tobias Matondze. The delay was attributed to a lack of electricity at the court precinct, which has been in the dark for approximately one week. This infrastructure failure has paralyzed multiple court cases since Monday, leaving the defense team in a state of limbo. Mugabe’s lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, expressed deep frustration with the situation, noting that this marks the second time within a week that the matter has been unable to proceed as scheduled.

Attempted Murder and Firearms Charges at the Center of the Case

Mugabe and Matondze are currently facing a heavy slate of seven charges, the most severe being attempted murder. The charges stem from an incident last month at Mugabe’s luxury Hyde Park home, where a 23-year-old employee—reportedly a gardener—was shot in the back. According to prosecution reports, the victim attempted to flee after a physical altercation but collapsed outside the property's gates. In addition to attempted murder, the duo is charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, theft, pointing a firearm, and defeating the ends of justice. The latter charge is specifically linked to the disappearance of the firearm used in the shooting, which remains unrecovered despite extensive searches by the SAPS K9 unit and forensic divers.

Immigration Status and Legal Residency Issues Under Review

Beyond the violent crimes alleged, the legal status of both Mugabe and Matondze in South Africa has become a focal point of the prosecution's case. They are both facing charges for contravening the Immigration Act, with authorities investigating whether they are currently in the country illegally. Defense attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni confirmed on Thursday that they have received some documentation regarding his clients' immigration status from the Department of Home Affairs, though he is still awaiting final instructions from the accused before presenting this to the court. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has signaled its intention to oppose bail, citing the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation into the missing weapon.