The Case Of The First Lady With The Whipcord Who Walked Free
Forbes Africa|September 2017

Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Grace Mugabe, has once again caused consternation in a foreign country. This time, her actions left South Africans debating who is eligible for diplomatic immunity.

Melitta NgaloNkulu
The Case Of The First Lady With The Whipcord Who Walked Free

The issue over who is to be granted diplomatic immunity reared its ugly head in South Africa. This comes after Africa’s most renowned First Lady ran into trouble away from home in leafy Sandton, Johannesburg.

Gabriel Engels, 20, claims Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe whipped her with an electric cord when she found her and friends in the hotel room of her sons – Robert Jr, 24, and Chatunga Bellarmine, 20. The model uploaded images of her injuries on Twitter. She suffered gashes to her forehead and scalp.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) granted Mugabe, who married President Robert Mugabe in 2006, diplomatic immunity a week after the incident. South Africa has strong trade and political ties with Zimbabwe, which is South Africa’s largest trading partner in the region. 

Some disagree with this decision. 

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Forbes Africa.

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This story is from the September 2017 edition of Forbes Africa.

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