Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe has denied claims that she assaulted a model in South Africa, saying the “intoxicated and unhinged” woman attacked her with a knife.
Gabriella Engels last month posted a picture on social media showing a gashed forehead, claiming she had been assaulted in a hotel by the Mrs. Mugabe.
According to her, an irate Mugabe burst into the room where she was waiting with two friends to meet one of Mrs. Mugabe’s son on Aug. 13, and started laying into her with an electric cable.
She went on to file a case in court, but the Zimbabwean First Lady got diplomatic immunity.
In a statement, Mrs. Mugabe said she was the victim of a knife-attack by Engels, and was contemplating moving to court to sue her on attempted murder charges.
“She was worried about them and went to see them at their hotel suite,” the statement said. “Upon her arrival, Ms Engels, who was intoxicated and unhinged, attacked Dr. Grace Mugabe with a knife after she was asked to leave the hotel.”
“Security was left with no other option but to remove Ms Engels from the hotel suite,” it continued.
The statement also alleged that Engels had been in a fight with other women at Johannesburg’s Taboo nightclub the previous evening and suggested that may have been the cause of her injuries.
Afriforum, an Afrikaans civil society group acting on behalf of Engels, denied both accusations.
“Gabriella never attacked Grace Mugabe in any way and she did not participate in the fight at Taboo,” Afriforum said.
