The South Gauteng High Court today ruled that the decision by Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity should be set aside. AfriForum, Gabriella Engels and various other parties brought the rescission application in this regard.
Judge Bashier Vally, who in May heard arguments in the application for the review and rescission of the Minister’s decision to grant diplomatic immunity to Ms. Mugabe, found that her decision was unconstitutional and that she is responsible for the legal costs of AfriForum and Engels.
“We welcome the judgement. This decision paves the way for the institution of criminal prosecution steps against Ms. Mugabe after she last year assaulted and seriously injured Engels, a Johannesburg model, with an extension cord,” says Willie Spies, Legal Representative of AfriForum and Engels.