South Africa mulls fate of Mugabe's wife after assault claim

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa has not decided whether to grant diplomatic immunity to Zimbabwe's first lady after she was accused of assaulting a young model at a luxury hotel in Johannesburg, the government said Saturday.

Local media reported that Grace Mugabe was expected to attend a regional summit with her husband in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, in what would be her first public appearance since the alleged assault Sunday night.

Zimbabwe's government has requested diplomatic immunity for the first lady, who has not commented on the allegation that she whipped 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels with an extension cord. Lawyers for Engels have threatened to go to court if immunity is granted.

Foreign ministry spokesman Nelson Kgwete said in a text message to The Associated Press on Saturday that South Africa was still considering the request. "Decision yet to be made," Kgwete said.

South African police have issued a "red alert" at borders to ensure Grace Mugabe doesn't leave undetected. Police also say their investigation is complete but needs a government decision on the immunity appeal.

Separately, a South African Airways flight bound for Johannesburg was prevented from leaving Harare, the Zimbabwean capital.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe chief executive David Chawota did not specify the "issues" requiring attention before the plane is allowed to leave. "The South Africans know what should be done in terms of processes," he said.

South African Airways said in a statement it was awaiting a decision by Zimbabwean authorities, adding that it was treating the matter as "urgent."

The cause of the delay was not clear, though the scandal over Grace Mugabe is a sensitive issue for South Africa as it weighs the possible diplomatic fallout from neighboring Zimbabwe if it acts against the first lady - and the likely outrage at home if it grants immunity and allows her to leave.

Some demonstrators protested Saturday in Pretoria against the 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe and his wife, saying she should be prosecuted.

It is not clear whether Grace Mugabe entered South Africa on a personal or diplomatic passport. Zimbabwe's state-owned newspaper reported last weekend that she was in South Africa for medical care, but she told police after the alleged assault that she was scheduled to attend the summit with her husband.

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Associated Press writer Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe contributed.