Grace Mugabe keeps police waiting
First Lady reportedly back in Zimbabwe
Confusion reigned supreme last night as word spread that Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe has returned to Harare after police confirmed early that she had agreed to hand herself over after allegedly beating a model in Johannesburg at the weekend.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula also confirmed yesterday that President Robert Mugabe’s wife had agreed to hand herself over to police and that she would appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
But an impeccable source told Sowetan last night that Grace was back in Harare after she failed to pitch in court.
The DA said Mbalula must answer for Grace’s “escape”.
“Grace Mugabe will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court for all what she is accused of and the law will take its course.
“The diplomatic immunity is the matter that should be answered by Dirco [Department of International Relations and Cooperation]. My responsibility is that you commit crime in the borders of South Africa we react in the way we do because the law is about ensuring everybody is protected,” Mbalula said early yesterday.
DA’s shadow minister of police Zakhele Mbhele said Mbalula clearly missed something as he was quoted as saying that Grace was “not under arrest, because she co-operated and handed herself over to the police”.
Police ministry spokesman Vuyo Mhaga refused to shed light on allegations that Grace had returned to Harare. He referred Sowetan queries to police spokesman Brigadier Vish Naidoo who said: “I have nothing to say to that [allegations]”.
Naidoo and Mhaga had earlier said Grace was negotiating with police before handing herself over. “It was supposed to happen today [yesterday]. It didn’t materialise yet,” Naidoo said at about 3.30pm.
Dirco spokesman Clayson Monyela could not be reached for comment last night.
Mugabe allegedly attacked 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels on Sunday night at the Capital 20 West hotel in Sandton.
Engels claimed that she was assaulted by Grace while in the company of her two sons – Robert Jnr and Chatunga – who live in Johannesburg.
See also page 10