South Africa Grants Immunity To Grace Mugabe Despite Assault Claim

It showed pictures of her greeting officials at Harare airport.

Engels said she sustained deep cuts to her forehead and the back of her head.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has condemned the decision by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) granting immunity to Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe, saying it makes a mockery of the country’s rule of law. Gabriela was supposed to meet one of Mugabe’s sons at the hotel before the first lady barged in and whipped her.

There has been concern that the incident involving Mugabe, seen as a possible successor to her 93-year-old husband, President Robert Mugabe, could create a larger diplomatic crisis between the nations.

A senior government source said on Friday there was “no way” Grace Mugabe, 52, would be arrested because of the diplomatic fallout that would ensue from Zimbabwe.

He said they are appealing the decision granting Grace Mugabe the diplomatic immunity and if that is not successful, they will pursue private prosecution.

“What is likely to happen is that she will be allowed to go back home, and then we announce that we’ve granted diplomatic immunity and wait for somebody to challenge us”. The ANC was content to “sell South Africa to the highest bidder, but they must be reminded that parliament is neither captured nor for sale”, Steenhuisen said.

Nel said he would monitor the handling of the case by the police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Lawyers representing the model have, however, warned the government against the “immunity” overtures stressing that they will sue the government if Mrs. Mugabe is allowed to leave without appearing before court. Police spokesman Vish Naidoo did not comment on the specifics of the case, other than to say it related to assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mugabe had ostensibly come to Johannesburg for treatment of a leg injury. The News24 website quoted Engels’ version of events in the hotel room.

“Now I know that this woman is not going to get off scot-free from what she did to my child”.

“I just remember being curled down on the floor with blood rushing down my face and down my neck”, she told the BBC. “Our investigations were completed but before we could take the next step, the suspect applied to invoke diplomatic immunity”. He said the ruling ANC party “has turned South Africa into a playground for the political elite and their criminal associates to act with impunity”, The Sowetan reports.