Zimbabwe ex-first lady faces South African arrest warrant

South African prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Zimbabwe's ex-first lady, Grace Mugabe, for allegedly assaulting a model in 2017, police say.

Minority rights group AfriForum announced this during a press conference on Wednesday in Centurion.

“We can report that the warrant of arrest has been issued for Grace Mugabe,” said AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel.

“It seems that justice is going to take place and we are looking forward to this matter going forward.”

The move comes after a court annulled her diplomatic immunity in July.

South Africa's government was criticized for letting Mugabe leave the country after the alleged assault of a model.

Gabriella Engels accused Mugabe of beating the "hell out of me" with an electric extension cord in a hotel room in Johannesburg.

Mugabe said at the time that she had acted in self-defence after the "intoxicated and unhinged" model attacked her in the room where her two sons lived.

Engels suffered serious injuries‚ including a gash on her forehead.

National Police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo said on Wednesday: "I can confirm that a warrant for the arrest of Grace Mugabe was issued last Thursday."

It is unclear why the reporting of the warrant was delayed and there has been no response yet from Mugabe or Zimbabwean authorities.

It is unclear whether South Africa will push for Mugabe's extradition.

The Mugabe family owns properties in South Africa.

The alleged assault took place about three months before the military takeover in Zimbabwe, which saw Robert Mugabe resign as president after 37 years in power.