The woman who has accused Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe of assaulting her has mounted a legal challenge against the South African government for giving her diplomatic immunity.
Gabriella Engels said in court papers that a head of state, let alone a first lady, failed to qualify for immunity when accused of a serious crime.
Mrs Mugabe left South Africa on Sunday.
She has not commented on Ms Engels' allegation that she "beat the hell out of me" in a Johannesburg hotel.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) investigated the alleged assault, which took place on 13 August.
But they failed to charge the first lady after President Robert Mugabe's government claimed diplomatic immunity on her behalf.
South Africa's International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said she had "agonised" about granting Mrs Mugabe immunity.
Model Gabriella Engels: Grace Mugabe "beat the hell out of me"
She agreed to the request after taking into account "legal considerations" and the need to main "inter-governmental relations" with Zimbabwe, Ms Nkoana-Mashabane said.
In papers filed in the High Court in the capital, Pretoria, Ms Engels, a 20-year-old model, said the minster "misconstrued her powers" and her decision should be declared invalid as it "lacks legality", South Africa's privately owned Times Live news site reports.
Heads of state who killed or injured people in South Africa did not qualify for immunity under the Foreign States Immunities Act and there was therefore no way that their spouses qualified for it, Ms Engels was quoted as saying.
Lobby group AfriForum, which is representing Ms Engels, said that if the court challenge was successful, Mrs Mugabe, 52, risked prosecution if she ever returned to South Africa.
Ms Nkoana-Mashabane has not yet commented on the court challenge.
No date has been set for a hearing.
Latest Stories
-
World Bank’s food price index eases; maize, wheat prices hit 3-year low
54 mins -
2020 polls all about pulling Ghana back from precipice of destruction, corruption – Naana Jane
58 mins -
Guru expresses interest in contesting SRC election at UG
1 hour -
Oil prices projected to average $84 in 2024 – World Bank
1 hour -
Meet 2 Ghanaian entrepreneurs on a mission to connect 1m African professionals to global companies by 2034
2 hours -
NCA approves Starlink’s satellite broadband application
2 hours -
Government orders FGR to revamp mining operations; assures workers of commitment to their welfare
2 hours -
Arne Slot philosophy could suit Liverpool – Van Dijk
2 hours -
EC replies Mahama: You also appointed someone who was tagged NDC
2 hours -
See colourful outdoor of Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as NDC’s running mate
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo commissions 15MWP Kaleo Solar Power Plant
3 hours -
GCB Bank PLC leads African financial integration, hosts ZICB delegation
3 hours -
Empowering Girls in ICT: FAWE Ghana advocates for gender equality in the Tech sector
4 hours -
Rangnick ‘contacted by Bayern Munich’ about manager job
4 hours -
Winneba Youth Choir celebrates 35th Anniversary with Aseda Concert sponsored by Fidelity Bank
4 hours