Does Grace Mugabe have diplomatic immunity or not? Experts weigh in
'Nations won't prosecute family members of heads of state because of the PR outcome. Prosecuting would result in a cascade of political problems'
Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe still hopes for diplomatic immunity as pressure grows for her to be charged with assault. Legal and professional opinion agreed on the irregularity of Mugabe's claims for diplomatic immunity on an assault charge. Former state prosecutor Gerrie Nel and lobby group AfriForum stepped in to support the complainant, 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels, and her family. Nel, who heads AfriForum's private prosecution wing, said he would take Engels's case if the National Prosecuting Authority did not. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said Mugabe offered Engels to "come up with a figure" to make the case go away. Police confirmed on Wednesday that the Zimbabwean government indicated it wanted to invoke diplomatic immunity. Police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said: "The investigations have been finalised, but we have received a Note Verbal indicating that the suspect in this case has made an application to invoke diplomatic immunity."
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