Editor's note

Grace Mugabe might have avoided going to court for allegedly assaulting a young South African model. But Zimbabwe’s first lady could still face South African justice even though she was granted diplomatic immunity. Gerhard Kemp explains what diplomatic immunity does - and doesn’t - cover.

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Thabo Leshilo

Editor

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Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe with her husband, President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe. EPA/Khaled el-Fiqi

Grace Mugabe: why diplomatic immunity isn’t always an ‘out of jail’ ticket

Gerhard Kemp, Stellenbosch University

There is no basis in customary, conventional international law or domestic law for the spouse of a head of state to claim - as a right - some form of immunity when visiting a foreign state.

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