Grace Mugabe faces South Africa arrest warrant Published duration 19 December 2018

image copyright Reuters image caption Robert Mugabe was ousted after being accused of planning to hand power to his wife, Grace

South African prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Zimbabwe's ex-first lady, Grace Mugabe, for allegedly assaulting a model in 2017, police say.

The move comes after a court annulled her diplomatic immunity in July.

South Africa's government was criticised for letting Mrs Mugabe leave the country after the alleged assault.

Gabriella Engels accused Mrs Mugabe of beating the "hell out of me" with an electric extension cord in a hotel room in Johannesburg.

Mrs Mugabe said at the time that she had acted in self-defence after the "intoxicated and unhinged" model attacked her in the room where her two sons lived.

Police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo said on Wednesday: "I can confirm that a warrant for the arrest of Grace Mugabe was issued last Thursday."

He said police were seeking the assistance of Interpol to enforce the warrant.

It is unclear why the reporting of the warrant was delayed and there has been no response yet from Mrs Mugabe or Zimbabwean authorities.

Lobby group AfriForum, which has been pursuing the case, welcomed the arrest warrant.

"It seems that justice is going to take place and we are looking forward to this matter going forward," South Africa's Times Live website quoted AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel as saying.

media caption Model Gabriella Engels: Grace Mugabe "beat the hell out of me"

It is unclear whether South Africa will push for Mrs Mugabe's extradition.

The Mugabe family owns properties in South Africa.

The alleged assault took place about three months before the military takeover in Zimbabwe, which saw Robert Mugabe resign as president after 37 years in power.

What happened in Johannesburg?

The alleged assault took place in August 2017 after Mrs Mugabe found Ms Engels with her two sons, Robert and Chatunga, in a hotel room in Sandton, a wealthy suburb in the city's north.

The then first lady was in South Africa to be treated for an ankle injury, Zimbabwean media reported.

Ms Engels released an image of a head injury online. "When Grace entered I had no idea who she was," she told South African's News24 at the time.

"She walked in with an extension cord and just started beating me with it. She flipped and just kept beating me with the plug. Over and over. I had no idea what was going on. I needed to crawl out of the room before I could run away."

She added: "There was blood everywhere. Over my arms, in my hair, everywhere."

The South African Police Service (Saps) investigated the alleged assault but the foreign minister at the time, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, granted Mrs Mugabe diplomatic immunity, allowing her to leave the country without answering questions. That immunity was annulled in July.

Who is Grace Mugabe?

image copyright AFP/ Getty Images

Began affair with Robert Mugabe, 41 years her senior, while working as a typist in state house

Mr Mugabe was still married to his first wife, Sally, who was terminally ill at the time

Married Mr Mugabe, her second husband, in 1996 in an extravagant ceremony

They have three children - Bona, Robert and Chatunga

Nicknamed "Gucci Grace" by her critics who accuse her of lavish spending

Named head of Zanu-PF women's league in 2014, had been tipped to be named vice-president in December

Accused of assaulting a model in South Africa in 2017

Is the arrest warrant a surprise?

By Milton Nkosi, BBC News, Johannesburg

A little over a year ago, Mrs Mugabe was a powerful first lady who was preparing to succeed her husband as president.

Her political ambitions were thwarted by her military-backed rival, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Now, she is a wanted person.

South Africa's decision to issue an arrest warrant for her is not surprising.

The country's law enforcement agencies have regained their confidence to investigate high-profile figures since the scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma was forced to resign in February.

But do not expect Mrs Mugabe to be in the dock anytime soon, even if AfriForum keeps up the pressure. She is bound to be careful about her travel plans, and any attempt to extradite her will be a long and complicated process.

What is AfriForum?

The South African lobby group AfriForum says it aims to protect the rights of minorities, with a specific focus on the rights of Afrikaners. It has been vocal in lobbying for white farmers.

Soon after the alleged assault on Ms Engels it said it would represent and assist her with the prosecution of Mrs Mugabe.

At the time, AfriForum's lawyer Gerrie Nel said he was concerned about the possibility of political interference during the case, News24 reported.