Gerrie Nel AfriForum Ford

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel smiles as he cross-examines South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius during his trial at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria April 9, 2014. Nel forced Pistorius on Wednesday to look at a forensic photograph of the head of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after it was destroyed by a gunshot fired by the Olympic and Paralympic track star. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Gerrie Nel takes on Grace Mugabe, announces plan to assist alleged assault victim

Mugabe vs Nel.

Gerrie Nel AfriForum Ford

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel smiles as he cross-examines South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius during his trial at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria April 9, 2014. Nel forced Pistorius on Wednesday to look at a forensic photograph of the head of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after it was destroyed by a gunshot fired by the Olympic and Paralympic track star. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Famed Oscar Pistorius prosecutor and current head of AfriForum’s special prosecutions unit, Gerrie Nel has announced that he will assist the victim who was allegedly assaulted by Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe.

Grace Mugabe is accused of assaulting a Joburg model

Johannesburg model Gabriella Engels claims Mugabe beat her with an extension cord while her bodyguards stood and watched. Engels is an acquaintance of Mugabe’s two sons who live in Joburg.

A press conference was held on Thursday afternoon where Nel and AfriForum’s Willie Spies confirmed that they will be offering legal assistance to Engels. Nel expressed his concern with the communication between Engels’ family and the police.

Nel also revealed that they would be “monitoring the procedure every step of the way” and if all else fails they will take the private prosecution route.

Spies said that AfriForum had got involved in this case to emphasise that everyone should be treated the same under the law.

“everyone is equal before the law and there should not be selective prosecution.”

Gerrie Nel and AfriForum to go after Mugabe

The conference also revealed that the organisation has written a letter of demand to Police Minister Fikile Mbalula. Spies said that the letter refers to specific legislation around diplomatic immunity. He claimed that diplomatic immunity can not be used to escape prosecution from “grave crimes,” meaning, crimes that one could face five years or more imprisonment.

When Nel was asked about why Mugabe was not arrested, he revealed “a positive” that Engels was told by her investigative officer on Thursday morning that he intends to get a warrant soon for Mugabe’s arrest.

Engel’s mother gave a statement of her own at the press conference, she kept her remarks brief but it was revealed that a “third party” had got in touch to offer a financial settlement.

Nel later stated that no specific amount was offered to the family and that they were after justice, not money.