Update, 4.18pm: Grace Mugabe has reportedly fled to Harare after failing to appear in court.
Grace Mugabe’s motorcade has been spotted coming back from the airport in Harare. No ways was she going to hang around to clean up her mess
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— Simon Allison (@simonallison) August 15, 2017
Original article: A 20-year-old South African model has opened a case of assault against Zimbabwean first lady after she allegedly beat her with an extension cord in Sandton on Sunday, and Twitter is calling for justice.
Gabriella Engels told News24 she was with Mugabe’s two sons Robert and Chatunga in a hotel room when a bodyguard asked her to step into a separate room. In this room Engels says Mugabe accused her of living with her sons and beat her with an extension cord.
“Her ten bodyguards just stood there watching, no one did anything,” she said. “No one tried to help me.”
As a model, Engels says the scar left on her forehead will be damaging for her career.
Since news broke Monday night, Twitter users have called for Mugabe’s arrest, while a few have jumped to her defense. By Tuesday afternoon, the hashtag #GraceMugabe was trending in top place nationally.
#GraceMugabe
She should be banned from ever stepping into South Africa.— IG: tony_reloaded (@TonyGaffane) August 14, 2017
#gracemugabe must never think that this is Zimbabwe where she abuses people as she wishes @MbalulaFikile please arrest.
— APSP (@APSPAzania) August 14, 2017
Some claimed that Mugabe was just acting to protecting her son like all “African mothers”, while others found this argument lacking.
#GraceMugabe what she did to the young model is for the love of her son
— Zakaria Waweru (@zakaria_waweru) August 15, 2017
Theres nothing “maternal” about what Grace did.If she wanted to teach her sons she should’ve beaten them, not her. #GraceMugabe
— Man interrupted. (@Loux_Artiste) August 15, 2017
Guys let’s admit, most of our mothers have a #Gracemugabe tendencies
— Dumisani Nsibande (@dumisani668) August 14, 2017
#gracemugabe Many African moms react like this. We lol when we tell the stories, and it’s wrong. So qalani konyoko ningazozenza brand new la
— Zanele (@zane0590) August 14, 2017
Some xenophobic comments also arose, though many were quick to point out that Mugabe was born in Benoni.
South Africa, #gracemugabe was born in your country, you can keep her
— Veritas Harare (@VHarare) August 15, 2017
The incident is the latest in a string of violence against women by people in power this month, with Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana and political activist Shaka Sisulu accused of separate incidents of assault, while retired South African football player Marks Maponyane was recently found guilty of the same.
#Charolettesville #MananaAssault #MarksMaponyane #ShakaSisulu #GraceMugabe .. I am unable this Monday morning, so disheartened
— Nontando Nikelo (@low_lo) August 14, 2017
#MduduziManana case has set a bad culture, hear even #GraceMugabe came to #SA just to assault one of our sister.
— justiceMthabine (@justicebigM) August 14, 2017
Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF took to Twitter to rant about the incident, shame media and claim Mugabe as victim.
We can confirm if this is one of the perpetrators who attacked comrade Grace Mugabe. Be careful comrades. pic.twitter.com/3VCyfsY8vB
— ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) August 14, 2017
Whoever is promoting this “Grace is a Disgrace” campaign must be warned that it is libal and can get you into trouble.
— ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) August 14, 2017
If lighting struck one of our comrades Twitter would blame our comrades and side with the flash. The imperialists have captured many of you.
— ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) August 14, 2017
South Africa is a dangerous place for women.
— ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) August 14, 2017
We will no longer engage on gossipy matters. Further communication on the first lady will only come from official spokesperson and lawyers.
— ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) August 15, 2017
Grace Mugabe is expected in Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon. Because she was not in the country on official business, she can not be granted diplomatic immunity.
Edited to to rectify mistake that Mugabe was due at Randburg Magistrate’s Court, and not Wynberg.
Featured image: Peter Ndoro via Twitter
