Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe flew home from South Africa yesterday, state media said, ending a week of confusion over her whereabouts after she allegedly assaulted a model.

Mugabe, who has sought diplomatic immunity but is sought by police for allegedly attacking the 20-year-old model at a Johannesburg hotel, flew home with her husband in the early hours of Sunday, public broadcaster ZBC reported.

"President Robert Mugabe returned home... accompanied by First Lady Grace Mugabe in the early hours of this morning aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane,” the broadcaster said.

Arrest warrant

President Mugabe had flown to South Africa on Wednesday to attend a two-day regional leaders’ summit in Pretoria that began Saturday – which police said the Zimbabwean first lady had also been expected to attend.

Grace Mugabe has not been seen since the allegations were made and failed to appear at the summit.

Anticipating her arrival, a group of protesters had gathered outside, some waving signs reading ‘Grace is a disgrace.’

The 93-year-old president appeared to cut short his visit to fly home early, skipping the second day of talks among leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

South African police had said they were on high alert to make sure Mugabe’s 52-year-old wife did not leave the country with officials reportedly weighing up whether to issue an arrest warrant.

Agencies