Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 20-08-2017

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has confirmed that Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had granted Zimbabwe First Lady Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity.

It emerged on Sunday that Mugabe left the country alongside her husband Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in the early hours of the morning after attending a SADC summit.

The immunity granted to Mugabe was signed by Nkoane-Mashabane in a Government Gazette notice on Saturday and published on Sunday.

“I hereby recognise the immunities and privileges of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Grace Mugabe.”

The Department says it will release a statement later on Sunday.

In the “Minister’s Minute”, it indicates that she makes the recognition “in accordance with the powers vested in me by section 7(2) of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act 2001 (Act No 37 of 2001) and acting in the Interest of [the] Republic of South Africa”.

The Government Gazette notice further indicates that the immunities and privileges of Grace Mugabe are recognised “in terms of international law and as set out in the attached Notice”.

Mugabe was facing assault charges after she allegedly struck South African model Gabriella Engels in the face with an extension cord in a Sandton hotel last weekend.