Grace Mugabe accused of assaulting model

JOHANNESBURG: Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe ( pix) is under investigation by South African police on Tuesday after she allegedly used an extension cord to assault a model in a Johannesburg hotel.

The 52-year-old wife of President Robert Mugabe is accused of beating Gabriella Engels, 20, on Sunday at the hotel where her two sons were staying, injuring the victim’s forehead and the back of her head.

“She hasn’t handed herself over yet. We do not know her whereabouts at this stage,” police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo said.

South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, said Mugabe had returned hurriedly to Zimbabwe late Tuesday.

Mugabe allegedly arrived at the hotel with bodyguards and accused Engels of partying with her sons Robert and Chatunga, both in their 20s.

South African police minister Fikile Mbalula had earlier said Mugabe had turned herself in to officers, but Naidoo said this “just didn’t materialise as it was supposed to”.

“As long as we don’t have a suspect in custody, we cannot say when they will appear in court,” he said.

Online photos appear to show Engels’ injuries after the alleged assault. “We were chilling in a hotel room, and (Mugabe’s sons) were in the room next door. She came in and started hitting us.

“The front of my forehead is busted open. I’m a model and I make my money based on my looks,” Engels told Times Live website.

Mbalula said foreign citizens, especially those diplomatic passports, have responsibilities while in another country.

“I cannot just go to Zimbabwe and beat up people there and then the matter will disappear. We have had to act in the interests of the victim.” – AFP