Cape Town - South Africa's police ministry on Wednesday confirmed Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe, wanted in connection with the assault of a young woman in Johannesburg the past weekend, was still in the country and her government was attempting to invoke diplomatic immunity.
Mugabe was meant to hand herself over to police for a warning statement on Tuesday after arrangements were made with her lawyers.
"The suspect's lawyers and her government representatives made verbal representations to SAPS [SA Police Service] investigators that the suspect wished to invoke diplomatic immunity cover and thus she elected to change her mind about the warning statement. Subsequently, the Government of Zimbabwe has dispatched a diplomatic note verbale to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation invoking said Diplomatic Immunity cover," a statement from the ministry said.
"The suspect remains in South Africa and has not departed the Republic, we are advised her itinerary includes, amongst private matters, her attendance and participation at the scheduled SADC Heads of States/Governments Summit and Bi-lateral Diplomatic Meetings already underway in Pretoria."
The statement said discussion's with her lawyers and the Zimbabwean High Commission would continue to ensure Mugabe "is processed through the legal system".
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Earlier on Wednesday, acting national police commissioner Lesetja Mothiba told a parliamentary committee that police, together with National Prosecuting Authority boss Shaun Abrahams, had decided they would go ahead with charging her despite her pleas for diplomatic immunity cover.
“Our position was that she must go to court. The whole day yesterday [Tuesday] we were waiting for her…. we were expecting a statement from her,” said Mothiba.
President Robert Mugabe’s wife allegedly attacked a young woman with an extension cord after finding her with her two sons in Sandton, Johannesburg. The young woman suffered head injuries and bruises on her body.
The Zimbabwe first lady was in South Africa apparently to seek medical attention.