Attempted-murder accused Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Tamirepi Matonhdze, have abandoned their bid for bail over their alleged illegal status in South Africa, and are seeking to enter into plea negotiations with the state.

Mugabe, son of the late Zimbabwean president, and Matonhdze appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on March 11, where Magistrate Syta Prinsloo referred their matter back to Regional Court 2 for plea negotiations.

Read more: Mugabe’s son and co‑accused remain behind bars pending bail

For the past two weeks, their lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, had said they were ready to proceed but were waiting for the state to provide outstanding documents. On Wednesday, however, Advocate Laurance Hodes, who represents both accused alongside Mnguni, told the court he had received instructions from his clients not to go ahead with the application.

Speaking outside court, Mnguni explained that the prosecution brought the issue of his clients’ alleged illegal status in the country to their attention. “We don’t want to waste the court’s time. Everyone understands the processes around applying for bail, and one of the averments you must make is that you are not a flight risk. At this point, we want to deal with the matter on its merits,” he said.

Mnguni added it was too early to comment on whether the accused intend to plead guilty to any charges, noting that instructions still need to be taken from both men. He admitted that the immigration-related charge makes it difficult to secure bail, but stressed it is not a conviction.

Also read: Bail application for Mugabe and Matonhdze postponed to March 5

“In every matter, people do approach the state to see if a potential plea bargain or something to that extent can be arrived at,” he remarked.

The two accused face multiple charges linked to the Hyde Park shooting that left a 23-year-old gardener injured. Charges include attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, contravening the Immigration Act, and defeating the ends of justice, among others.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni says the state has brought it to their attention that the attempted-murder accused Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and co-accused Tobias Tamirepi Matonhdze are in the country illegally. Video: Itumeleng Maloka #Localnews #caxtonlocalmedia #johannesburg #Communitynews #newsupdate #Alexnews #Alex #Crime #fyp #SA #Mugabe ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

The case has already seen several postponements and has now been deferred once again, with proceedings scheduled to resume on March 17.

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