“The police were very active, were very involved in dealing with that matter, and then actions were taken,” he said, referring to Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s announcement that Grace Mugabe had been granted immunity.Zuma said he could not answer Maimane — who had asked on what grounds she was given immunity — as he had no part in the deliberations and the decision.

“I was not involved in the process. So I am not going to give you an answer that is not there,” he said.

“I am not a lawyer and I don’t know how the matter came to a point where it came. I can’t lie.”

The decision is being challenged in court by the model, Gabriella Engels, and civil rights group, AfriForum.

Engels claimed Mugabe savagely beat her with an extension cord.

African News Agency