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It would have been a moment where South Africa's justice system truly stood the test of time. In an incident that called upon the law to take its course , visiting Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe was expected to appear in a magistrate's court over a charge of assault on a 20 year old Johannesburg woman . Based on media reports, Mrs. Mugabe burst into a hotel room in the posh suburb of Sandton and repeatedly lashed an electrical cord on Gabriella Engels, whom she had found in the company of her rebellious sons.
Getting confirmation of such altercation and looking through previous records of similar behavioural patterns demonstrated by the first lady, which have never bore any consequences , the sense was that she was going to answer to no one. But a very assertive message echoing from South Africa's police minister led to the belief that temperamental Grace had over stepped her mark in the wrong territory . Minister Fikile Mbalula told the public that President Robert Mugabe's wife had handed herself to the law enforcement and will appear at the local Whynburg Magistrate's Court the same day, leaving journalists rushing for the chambers to cover the proceedings. However minutes before the court closed its doors for the day it was apparent that the minister , who is now becoming famous for his tough talk and no action , had taken the media outlets for a ride. Grace made a no show and conflicting messages regarding her where about began doing the rounds.
If only the law would have been followed with strong commitment, Mugabe should have been pounded and immediately arrested since she was travelling in her personal capacity and thus did not benefit from any diplomatic immunity.
Now that the saga has dragged on this far, it has again dented South Africa's legal system and international reputation . Talking of which , it's like reliving what transpired two years ago when Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir , a fugitive of The International Criminal Court , landed in South Africa with full knowledge of state officials and simply managed to evade arrest, despite the country being signatory to the Roman Statute and obliged to arrest him.
We are beginning to get the gist that, part of South Africa's new foreign policy manouevre is to shy away from embroiling into diplomatic tussle , even if its means compromising its constitutional values , because the international playing field is proving to be too complex and hard to handle.
The country's own policy on international relations, which incorporate some elements of its constitution, outlines very impeccable examples on how to go about achieving a sustainable , peaceful and secure global environment, including through the protection of human right . But for reasons such as that of economic gains and social cohesion, South Africa tends to find itself in a situation where its needs to maintain cordial diplomatic ties with countries who do not uphold the same policy as that of its own. For instance , Zimbabwe despite it dictatorial model of governance has become one of South Africa's biggest trading partner ,with revenue collections swinging towards South Africa's favour.
Does this then entails South Africa to allow other nations to puke on its integrity and violate the values which its fought for? Surely a line has to be drawn on the level of mischief the country is willing to tolerate from people bracing its shores, irrespective of their stature , nationality and whatever positive role their country of origin is playing for South Africa .
By permitting political heavyweights to enter its territory , do as they please and get away with it , South Africa seeks to jeopardise its sovereignty and national security. Next thing the country will become a harbour for extremists organisations because the law seems to be paving a leeway .
It also cannot be that a nation commanding the title of Africa's most advanced economy and regarded as a regional leader in conflict resolution stoop to this level of weakness ,as though it's surviving on international aid and offering zero to the world.
South Africa will stand to lose the respect it has acclaimed under the democratic dispensation if it does not flex its muscles and learn to maintain consistency in a wake of a diplomatic storm.
The case of Mrs Grace Mugabe versus Gabriella Engels is a significance test for South African authorities to stick by the rule book , if it has any intention of redeeming itself.
