In a letter sent Thursday to the South African government, Willie Spies, another lawyer involved in the case, said the offer was made Tuesday and suggested that Engels should “come up with a figure so that parties could meet in order to settle the matter quietly.”

The scandal has become a diplomatic mess for South Africa’s government and Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who arrived in South Africa’s capital late Wednesday apparently to deal with the crisis. Image copyright Reuters Image caption Grace Mugabe is the second wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

South African police have issued a "red alert" at the country's borders for Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe, the police minister has said. The red alert has been put.”

The move comes after Mugabe – the wife of the 93-year-old Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe – failed to appear in court to face charges of assault. On Thursday, Engels and her mother said at a press conference that Mugabe had burst into a room on Sunday night at The Capital 20 West Hotel in Sandton – where she and two other women were sitting – and started hitting them with an extension cord as her bodyguards looked on. She was visiting her sons on Sunday when she reportedly stormed into their room and assaulted Engels, who she accused of living with her sons - who are both in their 20s and live in Johannesburg. "No one is above the law and the DA will do everything possible to ensure that Ms Mugabe is not allowed to flee South Africa before she faces up to the charges against her," the Democratic Alliance party said.
The South African Police Service issues a red alert at the country's borders to prevent First Lady of Zimbabwe Grace Mugabe from leaving the country. She is wanted on charges of "assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm" on a 20-year-old woman in a hotel room in Johannesburg.