Dirco receives request to invoke diplomatic immunity for Grace Mugabe
The First Lady is accused of assaulting 20-year-old Gabriella Engels in a Sandton hotel on Sunday.
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed it’s received correspondence from the Zimbabwean government invoking diplomatic immunity for First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The exact whereabouts and the progress of the case against Mugabe have not been revealed amid speculation that President Jacob Zuma and his counterpart Robert Mugabe may be holding discussions.
The First Lady is accused of assaulting 20-year-old Gabriella Engels in a Sandton hotel on Sunday.
The Police Ministry announced in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that Mugabe is still in the country.
Her lawyers told authorities on Tuesday that she wished to invoke diplomatic immunity relating to the assault case against her and that’s why she failed to hand herself over.
International Relations spokesperson Clayson Monyela says the department has been in contact with the Zimbabwean government.
If immunity is granted, this will mark the second-time Mugabe gets diplomatic protection over an assault case.
She allegedly assaulted a British photographer in Hong Kong in 1999 but no charges were brought against her.
BREAKING : SAPS confirm #GraceMugabe is still is SA, and has invoked diplomatic immunity cover. CM pic.twitter.com/Sqnn3nP6wt
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 16, 2017
(Edited by Winnie Theletsane)
