Interpol roped in to arrest Mugabe
Warrant issued for Zimbabwe’s former first lady over alleged attack on SA model in a Sandton hotel room
SOUTH African police have asked Interpol to help them in bringing Zimbabwean former first lady Grace Mugabe to court over the alleged assault of model Gabriella Engels.
Mugabe is accused of assaulting 21-year-old Engels with an extension cord.
At the time of the assault, Engels said she was visiting Mugabe’s two sons, Robert and Chatunga, at the Capital 20 West Hotel.
She said that she met the pair through a mutual friend.
Engels suffered cuts and bruises to her head following the alleged assault by Mugabe.
SAPS spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo confirmed that a warrant of arrest has
Give her a chance to hand herself in to police. If not, she won’t be able to visit her multimillion-rand house in Sandton KALLIE KRIEL AfriForum chief executive
been issued for Mugabe, and the police have initiated processes with Interpol to secure her arrest.
“I can confirm that a warrant of arrest was issued. Grace Mugabe is being charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
“The Interpol processes have begun, and we will apply to Interpol to assist us in securing her arrest,” he said. The prosecution comes after the National Prosecuting Authority initially declined to prosecute, citing diplomatic immunity.
The DA and lobby group AfriForum applied to have Mugabe’s diplomatic immunity revoked after the alleged assault.
The South Gauteng High Court thereafter set aside the decision by the Department of International Relations to grant Mugabe diplomatic immunity.
The court ruled the decision was inconsistent with the Constitution.
AfriForum, which pushed for Mugabe’s prosecution, welcomed the decision by the NPA to issue a warrant of arrest.
AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said should Mugabe evade arrest or not hand herself over to the police within a reasonable time, the NPA could initiate extradition processes.
“We are expecting her to hand herself to police. If not, measures will be taken to bring her before the courts.
“One should give her a reasonable chance to give herself over to the police voluntarily.
But if she does not do that, in the first place it would limit travelling options in the sense that she won’t be able to visit her multimillionrand house in Sandton or other countries.
“The NPA can also go with proceedings for extradition,” said Kriel.
The DA’s national spokesperson Solly Malatsi said the party welcomed the issuing of the warrant.
“We stand by our word that the law must take its course regardless of who the individual is who is alleged to have broken the law,” said Malatsi.