Addressing journalists in Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday Minister of International Relations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said that granting Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity was painful.
Despite saying that she said that she did so because she was following the law. Said Nkoana-Mashabane:
I am here. My name is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. [I am] a very responsible mother, you can ask my children. Others know I am very supportive. It’s been a very painful exercise. It still is. Having said that, we are following the law.
Mashabane said she had written to Mbete and the chair of Parliament’s international relations portfolio committee, Siphosezwe Masango, to report on the matter. A date will be set for the minister to appear before the committee. Grace Mugabe was accused of beating model Gabriella Engels (20) with an extension cord. Engels said she sustained deep cuts to her forehead and the back of her head. She registered a case with the police the next day, alleging assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
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