JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Police have put a "red alert" on South Africa's borders to prevent any attempt by Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe, who is accused of assaulting a model in a Johannesburg hotel, to flee the country.
Her husband, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, has meanwhile showed up in South Africa for a regional summit, complicating the diplomatic dilemma now confronting the government.
Mrs. Mugabe, 52, has asked for diplomatic immunity in the case, although she has not been charged. Her present whereabouts were not known to the authorities.
The alleged victim, 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels, has accused Mugabe of barging into a hotel where Engels was meeting with her sons, and whipping her with an electric cord.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula told reporters on Wednesday Mrs. Mugabe had been due to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon under a deal struck with authorities, but she failed to turn up.
On Thursday, Mbalula said police had put a "red alert" on South Africa's borders to stop her from trying to leave.
"We had already put tabs on the borders, in relation to her leaving the country, so there's no question about that," he told reporters.
So far she had made no attempt to flee, he added.
The South African government has made no official comment on the case and foreign ministry spokesmen have not answered their phones for two days, but the issue is causing waves at the highest level.
Justice Minister Michael Masutha told Reuters he was attending a meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter but did not provide details.
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