Hong Kong police say enough evidence to charge Grace Mugabe

By Lance Guma
23 February 2009

Police in Hong Kong believe they have enough evidence to have First Lady Grace Mugabe prosecuted for assaulting a photographer last month. Grace instructed her bodyguard to hold down UK Sunday Times photographer Richard Jones, while she assaulted him. A diamond encrusted ring she was wearing caused several bruises and cuts to his face and forehead. Mrs. Mugabe took exception to being photographed while she was on a shopping spree and spending lavishly, while her countrymen starved. The police report has already been sent to the Department of Justice, who will make a final decision on whether to proceed against her.

The new development comes after two vital witnesses, an Austrian tourist and a Hong Kong resident, were traced and later gave detailed statements to police about the assault. The only saving grace for Mrs. Mugabe could be the use of diplomatic immunity, which she could invoke to avoid the charges.

And this was not the only assault, courtesy of the Mugabe’s. Following reports that the Mugabe family had bought a plush mansion in Hong Kong two photographers were assaulted after trying to take pictures of the £4 million home. American Tim O'Rourke and Briton Colin Galloway were assaulted by three Zimbabweans guarding the property, two men and a woman.

The Zimbabwe National Students Union meanwhile continues to campaign for the deportation of Mugabe’s daughter Bona Mugabe, who is studying in Hong Kong. The students argue she must come back to Zimbabwe and see first hand the collapse of education and infrastructure, created by her father’s reign.