South Africa seeking arrest of former Zimbabwe first lady Mugabe

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A year and a half after South Africa let Zimbabwe's former first lady Grace Mugabe go free despite accusations she attacked a model, the country issued a warrant for Mugabe's arrest.

Mugabe is accused of using an electric cord to attack model Gabriella Engels at an upscale hotel in Johannesburg in August 2017.

"I can confirm that a warrant for the arrest of Grace Mugabe was issued last Thursday," South African Police Service spokesman Vishnu Naidoo said.

Initially, Mugabe was granted diplomatic immunity by South Africa's justice department, allowing her to leave the country. Her lawyers argue that Engels was the aggressor after Mugabe found her in a hotel room with her sons.

AfriForum, a lobbying group, challenged Mugabe's immunity status in court and won in July, re-opening the case.

Mugabe will be arrested if she returns to South Africa. Interpol is involved but it is unclear whether Zimbabwe will cooperate with international authorities.

Mugabe is reportedly being groomed as the next leader of Zimbabwe to replace her husband, who was forced out in a coup in November 2017.