Divided opinion on reports of South Africa granting Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity

Record ID: 906913

  • Title: Divided opinion on reports of South Africa granting Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity
  • Date: 18th August 2017
  • Summary: HARARE, ZIMBABWE (FILE) (REUTERS) PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE AND HIS WIFE GRACE MUGABE, WAVING WITH CAPS ON THEIR HANDS PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE AND HIS WIFE GRACE MUGABE, STANDING GRACE MUGABE LOOKING ON PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE AND GRACE MUGABE SEATED
  • Embargoed: 1st September 2017 12:00
  • Keywords: Gabriella Engels Debbie Engels Grace Mugabe assault crime diplomatic immunity
  • Location: JOHANNESBURG AND CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA/ HARARE, ZIMBABWE
  • City: JOHANNESBURG AND CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA/ HARARE, ZIMBABWE
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice
  • Reuters ID: LVA0046UOMS7B
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Opinion was divided on Friday (August 18) in South Africa where reports came out that the government is planning to grant diplomatic immunity to Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe, allowing her to return to Harare and avoid prosecution for the alleged assault of a 20-year-old model.
    South African police have put border posts on "red alert" to prevent Mugabe fleeing and said she will not receive special treatment, after Gabriella Engels accused Mugabe of whipping her with an electric extension cable.
    The source said there was "no way" Mugabe, 52, would be arrested for the alleged assault, but that Pretoria expected the granting of diplomatic immunity to be challenged in court.
    The alleged victim, Gabriella Engels, said she was assaulted by Mugabe on Sunday evening as she waited with two friends in a luxury Johannesburg hotel suite to meet one of Mugabe's adult sons.
    A lawyer for Mugabe identified by Reuters refused to comment.
    Zimbabwe's 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe arrived early in Pretoria for a regional southern African summit this week to help resolve his wife's legal problems, a government source said.
    Grace Mugabe is expected to attend the summit as part of a "first spouses" programme.
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