A High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday set aside the diplomatic immunity granted to former Zimbabwe’s first lady, Grace Mugabe by the country’s Minister for International Relations Department, Maite Nkoane-Mashabane.

Mrs. Mugabe had allegedly assaulted Miss Gabriella Engels in a South African hotel in August last year but was allowed to leave the country without being prosecuted.

In his ruling which has also paved way for Mrs Mugabe to be extradited to face charges, High Court Judge Bashier Vally said the decision to grant her diplomatic immunity was inconsistent with the country’s Constitution.

While the Democratic Alliance of South Africa  maintained that Mrs. Mugabe was not entitled to automatic diplomatic immunity by virtue of her status as the spouse of a then head of state, the International Relations Department argued that it did not grant the immunity but rather recognized it under international law.