Grace Mugabe is suing a diamond dealer over a ring purchase gone sour. The presidential family's spending habits face scrutiny in light of the economic struggle faced by most of their compatriots.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Njikiziana
Advertisement
The wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has sued a businessman for allegedly failing to deliver a 100-carat diamond ring worth $1.35 million (€1.14 million).
Grace Mugabe had ordered the ring in 2015 to celebrate her 20-year wedding anniversary. Mugabe's lawyer Wilson Manase on Wednesday said his client was instead offered a ring valued at $30,000.
Zimbabwe's state-owned newspaper The Herald reported that Mugabe refused to take possession of an inferior ring and demanded a refund, but the dealer, who The Herald described as "fugitive Lebanese businessman Mr. Jamal Joseph Ahmed" only paid her back $120,000.
World in Progress: Zimbabwe online TVs
This browser does not support the audio element.
Lengthy legal battle
Mugabe was suing Ahmed for the balance, the newspaper reported. It's the latest episode in a long-running legal saga over the diamond ring dispute. In January Ahmed went to court in an attempt to stop Grace Mugabe from seizing his properties in Zimbabwe over the spat. Mugabe has denied attempting to seize the properties.
Hamed told the Reuters news agency from Belgium that he had not been served with the court papers. His Harare-based lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, said she had not seen the papers.
"We have not received anything at all and I am not in Harare to be served any claim or false allegations," Hamed said.
Spending habits raise eyebrows
Grace Mugabe is an influential figure in the longtime president's ruling ZANU-PF party and is seen as a potential successor to him. Critics have dubbed her "Gucci Grace" in reference to her reputation for extravagant shopping trips. Robert Mugabe is also known for his lavish spending habits, including a 93rd birthday party this year which cost the country up to $2 million.
Zimbabwe is facing a mounting economic crisis and the UN World Food Programme reports that 63 percent of the country's population lives below the poverty line.
Africa’s first ladies: Soft power at work
They may not have been elected but they still hold considerable power and influence. Some of Africa's first ladies even have an eye for the presidency. Meet the women behind these leaders.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Hutchings
Grace Mugabe: once ridiculed, now feared
For a long time she remained in the background. She had two children with President Robert Mugabe while he was still married to his first wife. Grace became first lady after Mugabe became a widower. She is now chairperson of the ruling ZANU-PF's Women's League, where she wields huge influence. Although she denies the accusations, many view her as a possible successor to her 93-year-old husband.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Joe
Aisha Buhari: 'Wife of the President'
Most Nigerians were pleasantly surprised when Aisha Buhari announced she would respect the constitution not to engage in politics. Instead, she would only take part in charitable activities. Upon taking office, her husband President Muhammadu Buhari scrapped the Office of the First Lady saying it was a waste of public funds and incompatible with the constitution.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/P. U. Ekpei
Margaret Kenyatta: Darling of the public
Kenyans love their first lady. The reclusive Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta has drawn much attention with her campaign to reduce maternal and child mortality. The daughter of a Kenyan railway operator father and a German mother, Mrs. Kenyatta is considered modest and restrained. She has been married to President Uhuru Kenyatta since 1991.
Image: imago/Xinhua
Ana Paula dos Santos: from flight to might
Ana Paula dos Santos worked as a flight attendant and a model. She met her husband, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, while at work on board the Angolan Air Force One. Whereas some praise her for her commitment to women and children's welfare, others criticize her for her expensive lifestyle. Ana Paula is dos Santos' fourth wife and they have three children.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Novais
Dominique Ouattara: Femme fatale?
Dominique Ouattara has always liked to mingle with the powerful. When she met Ivorian President Allasane Outtara in the late 80s, she had made an international career as a real estate agent. By marrying Ouattara, the business lady added more clout in the country’s political sphere. She is devoted to her children’s rights foundation.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Kambou
Janet Museveni: Uganda’s 'eternal' first lady
Janet Museveni's 30 years as Uganda’s First Lady makes her probably the longest serving first lady in Africa. After the disputed election victory of her husband Yoweri Museveni, she is set to stay "in office" for a while. The mother of four became politically active in her late years. Since 2006, she has been a lawmaker and in June her husband appointed her as education and sports minister.
Image: Imago/Xinhua
Marieme Faye Sall: Senegal's housewife first lady
Senegal’s first "native" First Lady Marieme Faye Sall (Right) with US First Lady Michelle Obama (Left) is the first "indigenous" first lady of Senegal. All others before her had a French background. She is described as a devoted housewife who hardly interferes in President Macky Sall's work. However, the couple is often criticized for their conservative lifestyle.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Diallo
Marie Olive Lembe: Discreet and considerate
For many years she was engaged to Congolese President Joseph Kabila. In 2006 she eventually became first lady. Marie Olive Lembe di Sita has two children with her husband. She is believed to have a close relationship with Jaynet Kabila, the twin sister of President Kabila, who is considered his right arm. Thus, the Democratic Republic of Congo has two de facto first ladies.
Image: Imago/Reporters
South Africa: Will the 'real First Lady' please stand up?
2008 saw a wedding marathon for South Africa's President Jacob Zuma. Within four years, he married three women: Nompumelelo Zuma, Thobeka Zuma and Bongi Ngema-Zuma. The three were in addition to Sizakelle, Zuma's wife of many years. His ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma carries his name too. She is the Chairperson of the African Union. Critics say Zuma's extended family costs taxpayers a fortune.
