Grace too hot to handle
SA authorities in a tailspin as Zimbabwe first lady hides behind diplomatic immunity to avoid arrest Robert Mugabe expected in SA today to discuss diplomatic poser with President Zuma
Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe came into the country using a diplomatic passport when she allegedly assaulted women she found with her sons in a Sandton hotel.
Sowetan has established that this gives her immunity from being prosecuted for her alleged assault on “model” Gabriella Engels on Sunday night at the Capital 20 West hotel.
Mugabe did not appear in court on Tuesday despite Police Minister Fikile Mbalula saying she would.
Department of Home Affairs spokesman David Hlabane was, however, unable to confirm this yesterday.
Mugabe’s assault case has now sent authorities into a tailspin after they learnt of her diplomatic status in the country.
Sowetan has established, through senior sources in government that first ladies “always travel using diplomatic passports”.
Sources also confirmed that her husband Robert Mugabe was expected to arrive in the country to meet with President Jacob Zuma to manage the situation.
Robert is set to meet Zuma today, ahead of the president’s meeting at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) conference.
The conference is being hosted in Pretoria until Sunday.
‘‘ The suspect remains in SA and has not departed
Acting national Police Commissioner Lesetja Mothiba told parliament’s portfolio committee on police that Grace’s lawyers had agreed to cooperate with police.
However, he could not comment on her whereabouts.
Mothiba said the National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams was with her lawyers when the commitment to cooperate with the police was made.
Yesterday, Mbalula’s office said Grace had “made arrangements acceptable to SAPS that she would present herself to” police in Sandton.
“By end of business yesterday [Tuesday] she had failed to present herself as arranged.
“Her attorneys and government of Zimbabwe representatives did arrive at the police station in Sandton for channels of cooperation,” the statement said.
Mbalula’s office said Grace was meant to give a warning statement before a docket was presented to the NPA for a decision whether to prosecute.
“The suspect’s lawyers and her government representations tives made verbal representations to SAPS investigators that the suspect wished to invoke diplomatic immunity cover and thus she elected to change her mind about the warning statement‚” the statement said. “The suspect remains in South Africa and has not departed the republic. We are advised her itinerary includes private matters and her attendance and participation at the scheduled SADC heads of states/governments summit and bi-lateral diplomatic meetings already underway in Pretoria.
“Discussions with the suspect’s lawyers and the Zimbabwean high commission representatives are taking place to make sure that the suspect is processed through the legal system‚” the statement said.