Gabriella Engels Offered Blank Cheque
The woman who was allegedly assaulted by Zimbabwe’s First Lady‚ Grace Mugabe‚ was offered a blank cheque to make the matter go away.
This was revealed at a media conference on Thursday at AfriForum’s offices in Centurion at which the alleged victim‚ Gabriella Engels‚ and her mother‚ Debbie‚ were present.
“There wasn’t an amount offered to them (the Engels family). The indication was: come up with a figure‚” AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said
Caty van der Merwe from AfriForum’s Trauma Unit said Engels was not directly threatened if she did not accept the offer.
“She is living in fear actually to go out into the public now. The family is living in fear for what might happen.”
Debbie Engels thanked AfriForum for their help.
“At least now I can sleep a little more peaceful knowing I have people in my corner that is gonna help me fight to get justice for my daughter.”Gabriella‚ whose eyes were red and damp‚ chose not to address the media.
She sported a big bandage on her forehead and maintained a sombre facial expression.AfriForum approached 20-year-old Gabriella to offer her legal support and counselling after she was allegedly assaulted by Mugabe on Sunday night with an electrical extension cord at a luxury hotel in Sandton‚ Johannesburg‚ where Mugabe’s two sons were thought to be staying.