Court Hears Allegations of R250,000 Hush Money Payment in Bellarmine Mugabe Shooting Trial

Court hears that Bellarmine Mugabe’s shooting victim was paid R250,000 to stay silent. Sentencing for the attempted murder case is set for April 29.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 5:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN

Allegations of Witness Tampering Surface in Court

A dramatic development unfolded in the Alexandra Magistrates Court on Friday as testimony revealed that the victim in an attempted murder case involving Bellarmine Mugabe was paid to withhold information. Sipho Mahlangu, a security guard who sustained two gunshot wounds to the back during an incident at a Hyde Park residence, reportedly confirmed receiving R250,000. Investigating officer Colonel Raj testified that an additional R150,000 was allegedly promised to Mahlangu in exchange for his silence regarding the shooting.

Guilty Pleas and Legal Maneuvering

Bellarmine Mugabe, 29, and his cousin and co,accused, Tobias Matonhodze, 32, appeared in court following their guilty pleas entered last week. The charges against the pair include attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and illegal possession of a firearm. The legal team for the accused has petitioned the court to consider a fine or a suspended sentence rather than custodial time, despite the gravity of the injuries inflicted upon the complainant during the confrontation.

Non,Cooperation and the Missing Weapon

A significant hurdle for the prosecution remains the recovery of the firearm used in the Hyde Park shooting. Colonel Raj informed the court that the weapon has not yet been located, primarily due to a lack of cooperation from both Mugabe and Matonhodze. The state argued that this refusal to assist police efforts to secure the firearm should be viewed as a continuing effort to defeat the ends of justice, further complicating the defendants' plea for leniency.