The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has applied to
have Grace Mugabe extradited to South Africa‚ according to a lobby group that
is representing the model allegedly beaten by Zimbabwe's former first lady.
Grace Mugabe is alleged to have assaulted and seriously
injured Gabriella Engels‚ a Johannesburg model‚ with a power extension cord in
2017.
Comment from the NPA has not yet been obtained. AfriForum
said the NPA’s decision follows the South Gauteng High Court’s ruling last year
that the decision by then-minister of international relations and cooperation
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity should be set
aside.
AfriForum‚ Engels and various other parties brought the
rescission application. Advocate Gerrie Nel‚ head of AfriForum’s private
prosecution unit‚ had stated his office would apply for a nolle prosequi
certificate should the NPA fail to prosecute.
Said AfriForum: "The Foreign States Immunities Act
(1981) explicitly excludes the granting of immunity to heads of state who are
guilty of the death or injury of people in South Africa. Grace Mugabe‚ as the
wife of a former head of state‚ could therefore in no way claim the diplomatic
immunity to which she appealed."
“We hope that the prosecution of Grace Mugabe will commence
shortly and we will monitor the case. AfriForum gets involved in issues like
this to ensure that people with political power do not get away with committing
crimes.
"Grace Mugabe must be brought to book for her deeds
and this is the first step in ensuring that miss Engels will get justice soon‚”
said Nel. Times
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