Bellarmine Mugabe is set to be sentenced in a South African court alongside his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, in a case that has drawn significant public attention due to its serious charges and high-profile connections.

Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, pleaded guilty to being in South Africa illegally and to pointing a firearm. The firearm-related charge stems from a separate incident that reportedly occurred just weeks before a more widely reported shooting involving his security guard, Sipho Mahlangu, at his residence in Hyde Park.

While Mugabe admitted to the charges against him, the court also heard details surrounding the broader sequence of events that have intensified scrutiny on the case. The earlier firearm incident has raised questions about a pattern of behaviour leading up to the shooting of Mahlangu, which remains a central point of concern.

Co-accused Matonhodze faces a more extensive list of charges. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, violating South Africa’s immigration laws, and possession of ammunition. His admissions place him at the centre of the most serious aspects of the case, particularly the attempted murder charge linked to the shooting incident.

In a key development presented in court, the investigating officer revealed that the victim, Sipho Mahlangu, has already received R250,000 in compensation, with a further R150,000 still outstanding. Despite this, the officer urged the court to impose a harsh sentence, arguing that both accused have failed to cooperate fully—particularly in revealing the whereabouts of the firearm used in the incident.

The missing weapon remains a critical issue in the case. Prosecutors maintain that the failure to recover the firearm points to a lack of accountability and reinforces the need for a custodial sentence. According to the state, the accused have shown little remorse, strengthening the argument for stricter punishment.

However, the defence has pushed back against these claims, telling the court that the firearm may have been removed by another individual. They argued that multiple people were present in the house at the time, raising the possibility that someone else could have taken the weapon, and therefore the accused cannot be solely blamed for its disappearance.

The defence has also continued to argue for a non-custodial sentence, citing the guilty pleas and compensation paid to the victim as mitigating factors. They are expected to emphasise cooperation and the avoidance of a lengthy trial as reasons for leniency.

The case has attracted widespread attention across the region, not only because of the individuals involved but also due to the seriousness of the charges and the broader implications around immigration violations and firearm-related offences in South Africa.

As sentencing looms, the court faces a critical decision that could set the tone for how similar high-profile cases are handled. Whether the judge opts for a harsh custodial sentence or a more lenient approach will likely have lasting implications, both legally and in the court of public opinion.

The family of Zambia’s late former President Edgar Lungu has called for the return of his body, insisting that it be handed over to their chosen private mortuary service amid an escalating dispute with the state over funeral arrangements.

The request comes just a day after the Zambian government announced that it was in possession of Lungu’s mortal remains, a development that has added tension to an already sensitive and highly publicised matter.

While official details surrounding the handling and location of the former president’s body remain limited, the government’s statement confirmed that it had taken custody of the remains. This announcement prompted an immediate response from the Lungu family, who say they were not adequately consulted regarding key decisions following his passing.

The family has maintained that they should have full authority over the funeral arrangements, including where the body is kept and how it is prepared for burial. They have now demanded that the remains be transferred to a private mortuary of their choice, arguing that this is in line with their wishes and cultural practices.

The disagreement has exposed growing tensions between the former president’s relatives and state authorities over protocol, ownership of remains, and the role of government in managing the funerals of former heads of state. Such disputes, while rare, are not unprecedented in the region, where state funerals often involve both public and private family considerations.

Government officials have not yet provided detailed responses to the family’s latest demand, but earlier statements suggested that national procedures were being followed in accordance with protocol for former presidents. These procedures typically involve state oversight of funeral arrangements, including security, public ceremonies, and official burial plans.

The situation has sparked widespread public interest in Zambia, with many citizens following developments closely as questions arise over how the final arrangements will be handled. Former President Lungu, who served as Zambia’s head of state from 2015 to 2021, remains a significant political figure, and his passing has triggered national reflection as well as political debate.

Legal and governance experts in Zambia have noted that disputes of this nature often require careful negotiation to balance family rights with state obligations. The handling of a former head of state’s remains is typically guided by both legal frameworks and established national protocol, but cultural and family expectations can also play a central role.

As the standoff continues, attention is now focused on whether a compromise can be reached between the Lungu family and the government to ensure a dignified and coordinated funeral process. For now, uncertainty remains over where the former president’s body will be held and how final arrangements will proceed, as both sides maintain their positions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will provide R30 million in humanitarian assistance to Lesotho, aimed at strengthening the country’s response to HIV and tuberculosis at a time when international aid levels continue to decline globally.

The announcement was made during a high-profile visit to Lesotho on Wednesday, where Ramaphosa joined King Letsie III and Lesotho’s Prime Minister for the official opening of the Senqu Bridge, a key infrastructure project linked to the broader Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The humanitarian support package is expected to help Lesotho maintain critical public health programmes, particularly in communities heavily affected by HIV and TB. Health officials have long identified the mountain kingdom as one of the countries with high burdens of both diseases, placing sustained pressure on its healthcare system.

Ramaphosa said the assistance reflects South Africa’s ongoing commitment to regional solidarity and cooperation, particularly in the face of shrinking donor funding from international partners. Many countries in southern Africa have faced funding gaps in recent years as global aid priorities shift, leaving governments to shoulder more of the responsibility for essential healthcare programmes.

The visit also highlighted the strategic importance of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, one of the largest cross-border infrastructure developments in Africa. The newly inaugurated Senqu Bridge forms part of Phase Two of the project, which is designed to enhance water transfer capacity from Lesotho’s highlands into South Africa.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project plays a crucial role in supplying water to major economic hubs in South Africa, particularly Gauteng, where demand continues to grow due to population expansion and industrial activity. The system channels water from Lesotho’s mountainous catchments through a network of dams, tunnels and reservoirs before it reaches South African water systems.

Officials say the expansion under Phase Two will improve long-term water security while also generating revenue for Lesotho through water royalties. The project has been described as mutually beneficial, strengthening economic ties between the two countries while addressing South Africa’s increasing water demand.

King Letsie III and the Lesotho government have consistently emphasised the importance of the project not only as an engineering achievement but also as a symbol of regional cooperation. The latest infrastructure milestone, including the Senqu Bridge, is expected to improve access and efficiency in managing the water transfer system.

Beyond infrastructure, the joint engagement between the two countries also focused on broader development challenges, including health, economic growth, and climate resilience. Lesotho remains highly vulnerable to climate variability, particularly droughts and changing rainfall patterns, which directly affect both water availability and agricultural productivity.

For South Africa, securing reliable water supply routes from Lesotho remains a strategic priority, especially as demand in urban and industrial regions continues to rise. The continued development of the water project is expected to play a key role in supporting long-term planning for water security.

The R30 million humanitarian assistance package, while relatively modest in scale, is seen as a targeted intervention aimed at sustaining critical healthcare services in Lesotho during a period of funding uncertainty. It also reinforces the long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

As both nations continue to deepen cooperation through shared infrastructure and development initiatives, the Senqu Bridge and the wider water project stand as central pillars of regional integration, linking public health support with long-term resource management and economic collaboration.