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| President Robert Mugabe and wife Grace Mugabe heading for the delegates meeting |
Zimbabwes
First lady Grace Mugabe has claimed diplomatic immunity after being accused of
assaulting a 20 year old model,south African Police said confirming she had not
fled the country.
‘’the
suspects lawyers and her government representatives made verbal representations
that the suspect wished to invoke diplomatic immunity cover’’ a statement from
the police ministry said.
The 52 year
old wife of President Robert Mugabe is accused of attacking Gabriella Engels on
Sunday evening at a Johannesburg hotel where the first lady’s two sons were
staying.
Engels has
registered a case with the police alleging assault with intent to do grievious
bodily harm,saying she suffered deep cuts to her forehead and the back of her
head.
The police
said that Grace Mugabe had been expected to report to a police station on
Tuesday to give her version of the events and obtain a warning statement,but
she failed to show up.
They added
that she was scheduled to attend a regional summit of the southern African
Development Community in Pretoria where her husband and other heads of state
will be present.
The alleged
attack threatens to spark a diplomatic tiff between the two neighbouring
countries,which have strong political and economic ties,though Zimbabwean
officials have made no comment on the case.
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| Engel displaying her scar after being assaulted by Grace Mugabe |
Grace Mugabe
allegedly arrived at the capital 20 West Hotel with body guards and accused
Engels of partying with her sons Robert and Chatunga,who are both in their 20’s
and live in Johannesburg.
Pictures on
social media appeared to show Engels bleeding from her head after the alleged
assault at the hotel in the upmarket business district of sandton.Engels said
she was attacked with an electrical extension cord.
