Grace Mugabe’s Diplomatic Immunity Overturned by South African Court

The South Gauteng High Court today found that the SA government’s decision to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity should be set aside… paving the way for Mrs Mugabe to be prosecuted for allegedly assaulting a South African model in Johannesburg last year.

The earlier decision to grant former President Robert Mugabe’s wife immunity had been made by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

Several parties, including the model herself – Gabriella Engels – and AfriForum filed a court application challenging the government’s decision. Mrs Mugabe had been on a private visit to South Africa and therefore did not qualify for diplomatic immunity, said AfriForum. Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), also challenged the ruling after Mrs Mugabe returned to Zimbabwe, and evaded prosecution.

In May Judge Bashier Vally heard arguments for the review, and today he found that the Minister’s decision had been unconstitutional. He also ruled that Mrs Mugabe is responsible for AfriForum and Engels’ legal costs.

AfriForum lawyer Willie Spies, who is also Engels’ legal representative, said: “We welcome the judgement. This decision paves the way for the institution of criminal prosecution steps against Ms. Mugabe…

“AfriForum believes that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) should act in this regard, but if not – Adv. Gerrie Nel and AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit are at the ready to privately prosecute Mugabe.”

Reuters reports that NPA spokeswoman Phindi Mjnonondwana said the case was still in the hands of the police and had not yet been sent to the NPA for action. “However, NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said South Africa and Zimbabwe had previously cooperated on extraditing suspects from one country to the other.”

Back in May, Engels told News24 that she was confident Grace Mugabe would “face the full might of the law” and that she was leaving it “in God’s hands to get us through everything”.

Engels claims she was assaulted in August 2017 by an irate Mrs Mugabe – who allegedly whipped her using an extension cord – while she was visiting one of Mrs Mugabe’s sons at a luxury hotel in Joburg.

Engels’ mother released photos showing gashes on her daughter’s head and bruises on her thighs.

Mrs Mugabe denied the assault and accused Engels of being “intoxicated and unhinged”, claiming that the South African model, who was waiting with two friends for her son, had attacked her with a knife. AfriForum dismissed Mrs Mugabe’s allegations as lies.

Engels said in May that she was feeling better after the traumatic event, and that she believes there will be a positive outcome.

Robert Mugabe was ousted from government in a non-violent coup soon after the incident; and today Zimbabweans have gone to the polls to cast their vote in Zimbabwe’s first election that does not include his name on the ballot paper… for the first time since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980.

According to Reuters the 94-year-old former statesman cast his vote on Monday morning in a Harare township, accompanied by his controversial wife.