Inside Africa – Zimbabwe’s Grace Mugabe due in SA court over assault

Zimbabwe’s first lady, Grace Mugabe, is to appear in court in South Africa later following reports of an alleged assault, South Africa’s police minister says.

South African media said she had handed herself over to police.

She is alleged to have attacked a 20-year-old model at a hotel in the upmarket Sandton area of Johannesburg.

The woman accused Mrs Mugabe, 52, of hitting her in the face and put images of a head wound on social media.

South African Police Minister Fikile Mbalula told reporters: “She’s not under arrest because she co-operated and handed herself over to the police.”

The attack is said to have happened on Sunday evening. A Gauteng provincial government minister said a case of assault had been opened by the alleged victim.

The reason for the alleged attack is not clear.

Zimbabwe Information Minister Christopher Mushowe told the BBC that he was unaware of the allegation.

Mrs Mugabe was in South Africa to be treated for an ankle injury, sustained during a road accident last month, when the alleged assault took place, according to Zimbabwean media.

Because she was in South Africa on a private visit, it is thought Mrs Mugabe may not protected by diplomatic immunity.

Mrs Mugabe has not yet commented.