Former Zimbabwe First Lady still faces assault lawsuit in South Africa

23 Novembre 2017

Cape Town, South Africa, November 23 (Infosplusgabon) - Zimbabwe’s former First Lady Grace Mugabe will not have her assault case dropped if she applies for political asylum or refugee status in South Africa.

There is growing speculation that ousted President Robert Mugabe and his family will seek refuge in South Africa which is regarded as an ally.

However, the Deputy Minister for International Relations, Luwellyn Landers, said that while Pretoria had not been approached by the Mugabes, Mrs. Mugabe’s assault case would still remain on the court roll in the event asylum was granted. He noted that the country’s courts were “fiercely” independent from political processes.

President Mugabe resigned on Tuesday after a week of huge pressure from the military, War Veterans, his ruling ZANU-PF and the general public, ending 38 years as leader of the southern African country.

South African model Gabriella Engels said Mrs. Mugabe whipped her with an extension cord after finding her with her son, Bellarmine Chatunga, at an upmarket hotel in Sandton in August.

International Relations Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, subsequently granted Mrs. Mugabe diplomatic immunity despite the fact that the incident sparked a global outcry.

AfriForum, which brought the case on behalf of Engels, has vowed to proceed with the case against her irrespective of whether she is granted amnesty.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OKL/ GABON 2017

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