Zimbabwe says will not extradite Grace Mugabe over model assault

In this file photo taken on November 5, 2017 Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe looks on before addressing congregants gathered from various indigenous church denominations at a rally in the capital Harare. PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The 53-year-old reportedly attacked Gabrielle Engels using an electrical extension cord at an upmarket hotel in Johannesburg's business district of Sandton where the Mugabes' two sons were staying.
  • The Randburg Magistrates Court in Gauteng province issued the warrant of arrest on December 13, charging Mrs Mugabe with "assault causing grievous bodily harm".
  • The Mugabes whereabouts are unknown.

HARARE,

Zimbabwe on Friday said it would not extradite Grace Mugabe, wife of former president Robert Mugabe, after an arrest warrant was issued in South Africa for her alleged assault of a model in 2017.

The 53-year-old reportedly attacked Gabrielle Engels using an electrical extension cord at an upmarket hotel in Johannesburg's business district of Sandton where the Mugabes' two sons were staying.

NO SMILING

"We will not smile at something like that, for her to be harassed, embarrassed or ill-treated," deputy information minister Energy Mutodi told AFP.

"This incident happened when she was in office and she was granted diplomatic immunity. They can't now come back now and say they want to prosecute her. We are not going to support any extradition."

The Randburg Magistrates Court in Gauteng province issued the warrant of arrest on December 13, charging Mrs Mugabe with "assault causing grievous bodily harm".

South African police say they hope to arrest her, without giving further details.

IMMUNITY

Ms Engels, now 21, suffered cuts to her forehead and the back of her head in the incident.

At the time, the government granted Mrs Mugabe diplomatic immunity, allowing her to hurriedly leave South Africa.

A court scrapped the immunity in July, labelling the decision by the foreign ministry as "inconsistent with the constitution".

Robert Mugabe, 94, was ousted as president in November 2017 after a military takeover when generals stepped in to ensure that his wife was not in line to succeed him.

The couple's whereabouts are unknown.

Mrs Mugabe, a regular visitor to South Africa, earned the nickname "Gucci Grace" for her lavish lifestyle as Zimbabwe's economy collapsed under her husband's authoritarian rule