Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe handed herself over to South African police and was due in court on Tuesday, officials said, after allegedly assaulting a model who was at a Johannesburg hotel with her two sons.
During the incident, which occurred on Sunday, Mugabe, 52, allegedly attacked Gabriella Engels, 20, with an extension cord, leaving her with wounds on her forehead and the back of her head.
“She’s not under arrest because she cooperated and handed herself over to the police,” South African Police Minister Fikile Mbalula told reporters.
“In terms of foreign citizens, they must understand they have responsibilities — especially those who hold diplomatic passports.
“I cannot just go to Zimbabwe and beat up people there and then the matter will disappear.
“From the police side, we have had to act in the interests of the victim, we have opened a case.”