JOHANNESBURG: A South African model who was allegedly attacked by Zimbabwe’s first lady has filed court papers challenging the government’s decision to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity, a lawyer said Thursday.
The wife of President Robert Mugabe allegedly attacked a 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cord at a hotel in Johannesburg where the couple’s two sons were staying.
The attack left Engels with cuts on her head and forehead. She has filed an assault charge against the 52-year-old Grace Mugabe.
South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said at the weekend that it had granted Mugabe immunity allowing her to leave the country.
Engels and AfriForum, a civil rights group which helps victims of crime, filed an injunction asking the court to annul the minister’s decision.
“The (foreign affairs) minister misinterpreted the law. She applied the wrong principles,” AfriForum lawyer Willie Spies told AFP.
They are seeking an order to set aside Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s decision “recognizing the immunities and privileges” of Grace Mugabe, according to court documents seen by AFP.
They are also asking the court to declare that the diplomatic immunity decision “does not confer immunity from prosecution.”
A hearing into the case will start on Sept. 19, said Spies.
Grace Mugabe was supposed to have reported to the police to make a statement about the allged incident, but did not.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula then said “a red alert” had been sent out to border police, and “she is not somebody who has been running away.”
However, Mugabe flew out of South Africa on a pre-dawn flight on a presidential jet on Sunday. Hours later, the Foreign Ministry announced that it had granted her immunity.
On Wednesday, South African lawmakers heckled Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as he answered a question in Parliament on the Grace Mugabe debacle.
He said the decision to grant her immunity was taken in line with “internationally-recognized immunity regulations” and admitted it was “the first time we have utilized this type of convention.”
Model challenges Grace Mugabe’s immunity
Model challenges Grace Mugabe’s immunity
Zelensky wants to replace Ukraine’s defense minister
- President has offered the position to his current minister of digital transformation, who is aged just 34
- No explanation was given for his decision to replace Denys Shmygal
KYIV, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said he intended to replace his defense minister and had offered the position to his current minister of digital transformation, who is aged just 34.
“I have decided to change the structure of the Ukrainian ministry of defense,” Zelensky said in his daily address broadcast on social media. “I have offered Mikhailo Fedorov the position of new Ukrainian defense minister.”
Fedorov, who has been digital transformation minister since 2019, is a relative political novice little-known to the Ukrainian public.
“Mykhailo is deeply involved in issues related to drones and is very effective in the digitalization of state services and processes,” Zelensky added.
Without explaining his decision to replace Denys Shmygal, the Ukrainian leader said he had proposed the incumbent “head another area of government work that is no less important for our stability.”
Zelensky had tapped Shmygal as defense minister just half a year ago, in July 2025.
Besides the turnover at the defense ministry, Zelensky also named Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to head his presidential office.
Budanov replaces Andriy Yermak, who was among Ukraine’s most powerful people before being engulfed in a corruption scandal dogging some of Zelensky’s former allies.
