Judge rules against Mrs Mugabe in $1.3m diamond ring case

A Zimbabwean judge has ordered the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, to return properties she seized from a Lebanese businessman. The seizure was connected to a $1.3 million diamond ring deal.

Mrs Mugabe ordered the seizure of three properties belonging to the businessman, Jamal Ahmed. Her action was because Jamal had failed to repay the said amount after giving her a polished ring contrary to her specifications.

But the Harare High Court judge, Clement Phiri ordered her to remove her representatives from the three buildings belonging to the Lebanese and to ensure that all workers who had lost their jobs through the takeover are immediately reinstated.

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The ring purchased in Dubai was to be in commemoration of the Mugabes’ wedding anniversary. Robert married Grace in 1996 and this year marked the 20th anniversary of their union.

The First Lady who is on annual leave with Mr Mugabe reportedly in the Middle East after flying out on Tuesday was not in court but her attorney, one Wilson Manase, stood in for her.