Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe is back in Harare after being accused of assaulting a woman in Johannesburg.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula incorrectly told reporters Mugabe had handed herself over to South African authorities.
Police are now saying that no warrant of arrest has been issued against Mugabe.
Grace Mugabe allegedly assaulted 20 year Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cable on Sunday after finding the woman, who is described as a model, in an upmarket Sandton hotel room with her sons Robert and Chatunga.
Engels laid charges and told reporters she did not know the men in the room were Robert Mugabe’s sons.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said the First Lady was cooperating in the matter and had turned herself into authorities, insisting that she would be charged
Reporters rushed to the Randburg magistrates’ court where Mbalula told them Grace Mugabe would appear.
A police source said she would be charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The court closed for the day without this happening and police spokesman Vish Naidoo said no arrest warrant had been issued against Mugabe.
He would respond to reporters questions about whether Mugabe was now considered a fugitive in South Africa.
Authorities in Zimbabwe dismissed the incident as a media attempt to tarnish the first family.
Mugabe was in South Africa for medical treatment to her foot after what is described as a freak accident.