South Africa’s borders on red alert to prevent Zimbabwe’s first lady from fleeing

52-year-old Grace Mugabe, wife of the President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe has been accused of attacking a female model in Johannesburg, South Africa using an electric cable.

South Africa police have moved swiftly and issued a ‘red-alert’ on the borders of the country in'order to completely seal off any exit route for Zimbabwe’s first lady.

According to the Police Minister of South Africa Fikile Mbalula, Grace is still in the country and they have put tabs on borders to prevent any attempt from her to leave.

The victim, Gabriela Engels accused the first lady of walking into a hotel room and beating ‘the hell out of her with an electric cable. Gabriela was supposed to meet one of Mugabe’s sons at the hotel before the first lady barged in and whipped her.


According to police, the first lady was supposed to show up in court on Tuesday 15th August 2017 but failed to do so.

Grace is seen as a possible successor to her husband, Robert, who is also in South Africa attending a regional summit. He had come early to deal with the wife’s issue which according to reports might complicate the diplomatic impasse challenging Pretoria.

Police also say that Grace Mugabe will receive no special treatment and the victim’s mother is said to be turning up pressure from the public. Pictures of Gabriela’s head injury were released – she needed a maximum of 14 stitches to cover the wound.

Legal experts also say that Grace has gone to South Africa for treatment on her foot and that prosecutors could decide not to follow the case if they conclude that the victim’s injuries are minor.