The Department of International Relations and Co-operation has confirmed that Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had granted Zimbabwe First Lady Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity.
Mugabe is at the centre of an assault claim.
“I hereby recognise the immunities and privileges of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Grace Mugabe,” reads a Government Gazette notice, signed by Nkoane-Mashabane on Saturday and published yesterday.
The department’s spokesman, Nelson Kgwete, confirmed the notice and said the department would release a statement later in the day.
Meanwhile, a senior source in the international relations department told City Press on Thursday that there was no way Mugabe would be arrested as it could affect relations with neighbouring countries.
Mugabe’s aides say they have acquired CCTV footage of model Gabriella Engels fighting in a nightclub on Sunday morning. The incident at Taboo in Sandton, Joburg, allegedly happened on the same day the 20-year-old claimed Mugabe assaulted her in a hotel.
When Gabriella was yesterday asked about the fight, she said: “Yes, I was at Taboo but I was not involved in any fight. They are trying to discredit me.”
Gabriella said her friend had been involved in a fight. However, a regular at the nightclub toldCity Press Gabriella and a group of friends had brawled with another group of women.
Taboo co-owner Ammar Janayem said he was not aware of the alleged brawl.
A security guard at the Capital 20 West Hotel in Sandton, where Gabriella was allegedly assaulted, said she had arrived at the hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning with bruises on her face. However, he said she only sustained a cut to her forehead after being attacked by Mugabe, when she entered the room at about 9pm on Sunday.
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