Source: Grace casts shadow over SADC Summit | The Financial Gazette August 17, 2017
First lady Grace Mugabe
ZIMBABWE’S first lady Grace Mugabe, who faces assault charges in South Africa, will cast a long shadow over the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Pretoria this weekend after wrong-footing South African police.
Despite suggestions that the first lady had returned to Zimbabwe on Tuesday, South Africa’s police ministry said she remains in that country and has indicated plans to attend the regional bloc’s summit, which officially opens on Saturday. A programme of spouses of SADC heads of State and government is slated for Saturday noon.
President Robert Mugabe left Harare for South Africa last night ahead of other heads of State scheduled to arrive today and tomorrow.
The matter has escalated to a diplomatic incident between Zimbabwe and its main trading partner, South Africa, adding to already frayed economic relations over import restrictions imposed by Harare last year.
The import restrictions are believed to be a part of ongoing discussions at this year’s summit, whose theme is: “Partnering with the private sector in developing industry and regional value chains.”
Grace is alleged to have assaulted 20-year-old South African woman Gabriella Engels, who was in the company of the Mugabes’ sons, Robert Junior and Bellermine, at a Sandton hotel on Saturday night.
Without naming her, a statement issued by South Africa’s Police Ministry yesterday indicated Grace had undertaken to present herself to the police on Tuesday morning, but failed to do so.
“The suspect in the matter made arrangements acceptable to SAPS that she would present herself to SAPS Police Station in Sandton yesterday, August 15, 2017 at 10:00 hours. The time scheduled changed several times,” the ministry said in a statement issued yesterday.
“By end of business yesterday (Tuesday), she had failed to present herself as arranged.”
The police had intended to obtain a statement, with her version of events, before presenting the docket to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision on whether to prosecute or not.
Gabriella Engels
Instead it was Grace’s lawyers, with Zimbabwe government representatives in tow, who showed up at the Sandton police station to open channels of communication.
“The suspect’s lawyers and her government representatives 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 ministry added.
“Subsequently, the Government of Zimbabwe has dispatched a diplomatic note verbale to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) invoking the said diplomatic immunity cover.”
The police ministry signaled its determination to have Grace “processed through the legal system.”
South African media quoted DIRCO spokesman, Clayson Monyela, saying Grace could not claim diplomatic immunity if she was in the country on personal business.
“She needs to be here on official business. It won’t apply if she’s here on holiday or for something else,” Monyela told the Sowetan.
“Secondly, as a first lady, she’s not part of government or a government official. It doesn’t apply just because she’s the wife of a president.”
Zimbabwe government officials were not available.
COMMENTS
This is really getting more and more informative regarding the world that we live in. OR: Is it the Africa we live in?
Is it really far from the fictional ANIMAL FARM, by …..? I doubt. May be. But, let’s wait & see how this particular one is going to be concluded.
Suffice to say, Zimbabwe’s Dr amai dis-grace is not new to this kind of crazy behavior. If my mind serves me well, this could the 5th or 6th, of such well published antics of hers, and in different countries for that matter. And to date she has got away with it. But could this simply becoz of this weapon called “Diplomatic Immunity” – which we are told has now been activated?
If it is, then help us Lord. Then is there any justice on this earth when we are told there are individuals who are immune to justice? Sure if this talk of “diplomatic immunity” is not a smokescreen then we are all doomed. We are clearly living in ANIMAL FARM – where we are routinely told ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL (before the law at least. Then when it matters most we are then told “NO, ACTUALLY OTHER ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS”. Shame!
Angry South Africans are not like passive Zimbabweans!!!
Now the rest of the world can see exactly the type of people leading the Zimbabwean nation. They fail to control their sons and expect to run a country.
This moron of a human being can not claim diplomatic immunity as such because she was not in South Africa on Government business, regardless of what the media print. She must be hauled before the courts and tried for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm ( GBH). This charge if proven will mean that she will have a criminal record and will not be able to travel to most international countries or hold Government office – hopefully. A despicable, horrible and dangerous person.