“The negotiations over the suspect handing herself over have not concluded and our investigations have not finalised,” police national spokesman Vishnu Naidoo told AFP.

“The minister learned later that it just didn’t materalise as it was supposed to.

“We have identified a suspect but she hasn’t handed herself over yet. We do not know her whereabouts at this stage.”

Grace Mugabe had been expected in court Tuesday after she allegedly used an extension cord to assault a model who was at a Johannesburg hotel with her two sons.

The alleged attack threatened to spark a major diplomatic incident between the two neighbouring countries, which have strong political and economic ties.

Grace Mugabe, 52, is accused of beating Gabriella Engels, 20, on Sunday evening with an electrical extension cord, leaving her with injuries on her forehead and the back of her head.

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