News / Africa
Zimbabwe invokes Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity
16 Aug 2017 at 17:30hrs | Views
Zimbabwe has requested diplomatic immunity for the first lady, Grace Mugabe, after she was accused of assaulting a model at a hotel in Johannesburg, according to a statement from South Africa's police ministry.
"The suspect['s] lawyers and her government representatives made verbal representations ... that the suspect wished to invoke diplomatic immunity cover," it said.
The statement also confirmed that Grace Mugabe - wife of the 93-year-old Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe - remains in South Africa, despite reports that she had returned home after failing to turn herself in to face charges of assault.
The first lady is accused of attacking 20-year-old Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cord after the model went to see the Mugabes' sons Robert and Chatunga at the Capital 20 West Hotel in Johannesburg's upmarket Sandton district on Sunday.
Police said a 20-year-old woman had filed "a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm".
It was not immediately clear whether Grace Mugabe, 52, was travelling on a diplomatic passport or would qualify for diplomatic immunity if police do bring charges against her.
Hinting at a potentially serious diplomatic rift between the neighbouring nations, the South African police statement said Harare had asked that Mugabe be granted diplomatic immunity. But it made clear she would be "processed through the legal system".
"The suspect['s] lawyers and her government representatives made verbal representations ... that the suspect wished to invoke diplomatic immunity cover," it said.
The statement also confirmed that Grace Mugabe - wife of the 93-year-old Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe - remains in South Africa, despite reports that she had returned home after failing to turn herself in to face charges of assault.
The first lady is accused of attacking 20-year-old Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cord after the model went to see the Mugabes' sons Robert and Chatunga at the Capital 20 West Hotel in Johannesburg's upmarket Sandton district on Sunday.
Police said a 20-year-old woman had filed "a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm".
It was not immediately clear whether Grace Mugabe, 52, was travelling on a diplomatic passport or would qualify for diplomatic immunity if police do bring charges against her.
Hinting at a potentially serious diplomatic rift between the neighbouring nations, the South African police statement said Harare had asked that Mugabe be granted diplomatic immunity. But it made clear she would be "processed through the legal system".
Source - online
