Wife of president Robert Mugabe returns to Harare despite facing allegations of assault on model in JohannesburgGrace Mugabe, the wife of the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, flew home from South Africa on Sunday after being granted diplomatic immunity from being prosecuted for allegedly assaulting a young model in Johannesburg. South Africa’s foreign minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, granted the immunity in a notice published on Sunday that recognised “the immunities and privileges of the first lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Grace Mugabe”. South African police had previously issued a red alert at borders to ensure she did not leave undetected and had said they were waiting for a government decision on the immunity appeal. Gabriella Engels, a 20-year-old model, said Grace Mugabe attacked her on 13 August, whipping her with an extension cord that cut her forehead. A group representing Engels said on Sunday that it would go to court to challenge the South African government over the immunity issue.

Source: The Guardian August 20, 2017 18:11 UTC