Zim first lady receives diplomatic immunity in SA

It is essential to understand the roles and responsibilities hold by the department of international relations and cooperation towards preserving the status quo of the democratic South Africa on international matters and conflicts. However, I particularly get the sense that some cases that concerns crimes which involves internationalists, should not be handed or handled politically but it should be directed to law enforcement of the country to avoid unnecessary confusion.

 To critically analysing the case of Grace Mugabe, who recently been found to have deliberately assaulted a South African citizen in South Africa and still been granted diplomatic immunity as if she had not committed crime. I think South African law should have been enforced or applied against her as it is applied to others. The attitude and approach of ANC led government on this matter definitely depicted incapability and inconsistency of the South African justice towards handling international issues. 

 Knowing the fact that I am living in a democratic country where human rights are respected and valued, as it is enshrined in the constitution of the republic to abide by. Now, I therefore, find it offensive and meaningless to carry on respecting the constitution and law of this country, because to me it appears as rhetoric or myth. How do I explain the fact that our constitution state that, no one is above the law and everyone should be treated equally before the law, but when the so-called first Lady of Zimbabwe assaulted a fellow woman during women’s month and still walked free, where is justice here? So RSA treats people based on their prestige or legitimacy? If that is a case then the constitution and law of RSA is just a rubber stamp of a guideline that seek to steer the country.

Even though the government tried to justify to say that, they were obliged to grant her immunity, because they wanted to maintain and sustain relationships between the two neighbouring countries. But still this person committed serious offence. I find the reasons of government to be totally illegitimate to accept as a citizen. Recently South Africa revoked International criminal court (ICC) after having been being condemned by the international court for having not arrested president of Sudan Omar al bashir, when he visited South Africa. I thought perhaps they learnt a lesson during that case. Now I am glad because South Africa did not cancelled the treaty from the ICC as they wanted to. This will however give the ICC a chance to condemn them again pertaining the case of Grace Mugabe.

To this end, I find it importantly to suggest that Grace Mugabe should be dealt with decisively by the South African law rather than considering African Court of Justice (ACJ) system. All I know is that a leader is compelled to be an example but what Grace did is totally an opposite of being a leader. Lastly the minister of international relations and co-operation Maite Nkoana Mashabane must give the people of South Africa an explanation towards her action and decision to grant Grace Mugabe immunity.