South Africa issues red alert to stop Grace Mugabe from leaving the country

A ‘red alert’ has been issued to prevent Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe from leaving South Africa before she settles the accusation that she assaulted a young model, the South African police minister said. Fikile Mbalula said that all borders have been notified not to permit Mrs Mugabe leaving the country until the matter is resolved, the African News Agency said. South African authorities are debating whether to grant Mrs Mugabe diplomatic immunity, which Zimbabwe’s government has requested. It comes after Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe arrived in South Africa, apparently to help his 52-year-old wife with the ongoing scandal. Mr Mugabe flew into Waterkloof air force base in Pretoria with his entourage late on Wednesday night, arriving early for a regional summit of southern African nations. The debate over whether Mrs Mugabe should be granted immunity quickly took on a political dimension in South Africa, with the opposition Democratic Alliance calling on President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet to ensure Mrs Mugabe is brought to justice. ‘Ms Mugabe should have applied for diplomatic immunity before she came to our country, not after she finds herself facing criminal charges,’ the DA’s Zakhele Mbhele said in a statement. The police minister ‘needs to do his job and ensure she is arrested and has her day in court to answer the serious charges against her’.