GABRIELLA ENGELS CHALLENGES GRACE MUGABE IMMUNITY DECISION

Gabriella Engels opened a case of assault against the first lady last week after she was allegedly attacked at a Sandton hotel when she was found with the Mugabe sons.

FILE: Gabriella Engels claims that she was assaulted by Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe. Picture: Hitekani Magwedze/EWN

Thando Kubheka
Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - A South African model who was allegedly assaulted with an electrical extension cord by Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe has filed court papers in the High Court in Pretoria, challenging government's decision to grant her diplomatic immunity.

Mugabe was allowed to leave the country earlier this week after International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane gave her the green light.

Gabriella Engels opened a case of assault against the first lady last week after she was allegedly attacked at a Sandton hotel when she was found with the Mugabe sons.

AfriForum has given legal backing to the 20-year-old model.

Attorney Willie Spies says they want the decision to grant Mugabe immunity set aside.

“The expectations are that the matter will be argued probably within the next four to five months, and if we are successful it will open up the gate for us to carry on with either private prosecutions or civil action against Grace Mugabe.”