Zimbabwe First Lady Sues Lebanese Mogul over Diamond Ring

W460

The wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has sued a Lebanese businessman for failing to deliver a $1.35-million diamond ring she ordered for her wedding anniversary, state media reported Wednesday.

"First lady Dr Grace Mugabe is suing fugitive businessman Mr. Jamal Joseph Ahmed for $1.23 million (1.05 million euros) over a diamond ring deal that went sour last year," The Herald newspaper said. 

"In breach of the agreement, Mr. Ahmed failed to deliver the ring, triggering a legal wrangle." 

In 2015, Grace Mugabe placed an order for a 100-carat diamond ring worth $1.35 million to mark the anniversary of her wedding to the 93-year-old leader.

"The plaintiff wanted to purchase a unique diamond ring for her wedding anniversary celebrations," said court documents seen by The Herald.

"The defendant tendered a diamond ring worth $30,000 and naturally, the plaintiff refused to take possession of an inferior ring."

Grace Mugabe demanded a refund but Ahmed paid back just $120,000. 

In court documents filed last year, Ahmed said he had offered to repay the money in installments and claimed he had already paid back $150,000.

In January Ahmed went to court to stop Grace Mugabe from seizing his properties over the diamond ring spat.

Grace Mugabe has however denied attempting to seize Ahmed's properties, saying police had been guarding his premises because he was wanted for alleged crimes.

The Lebanese businessman holds a Zimbabwean permanent residence permit, but no longer lives in the southern African country.

Ahmed also claimed to have received threats from officials from Zimbabwe's spy agency -- the Central Intelligence Organization -- as well from Grace herself and a son from her first marriage, Russell Goreraza. She has denied the allegation.

Grace, 52, married Mugabe in 1996. She now heads the ruling ZANU-PF party women's league. 

She has said that she has the right to rule the country like any other Zimbabwean and is now seen to be among those maneuvering to replace her husband.

Comments 13
Thumb ___flamethrower___ 18 October 2017, 17:14

lulz @ the shia fugitive businessman Mr. Jamal Joseph Ahmed:)

Thumb natour 18 October 2017, 18:02

An example of the pot calling the kettle black, pun intended.

Thumb gigahabib 18 October 2017, 20:16

Lol, you can always count on the Mustaqbots to make sectarian comments about any article, no matter the subject.

Thumb warrior 19 October 2017, 05:47

says the shia heretic whose every comment wreaks of sectarianism.

Thumb EagleDawn 19 October 2017, 10:48

parasite of the parasites.

Thumb gigahabib 19 October 2017, 12:33

Spamming "Shia heretic" in every single comment surely gives you the moral high ground.

Thumb justin 19 October 2017, 12:54

but why does that upset you @gigairani? you said on numerous occasions you are not shia.

Thumb gigahabib 19 October 2017, 15:33

If he said Christian infidel, it would be just as sectarian. But he didn't.

Thumb EagleDawn 19 October 2017, 16:34

Loool, so "Shia heretic" is slur now? You are proud of being shia heretics.

Thumb Spotter 19 October 2017, 13:12

One giga troll spotted
tagged, logged and processed

Thumb gigahabiib 19 October 2017, 04:42

The 12 private jets are real. My friend mowaten keeps saying so and I believe him and all his aliases.

Thumb janoubi 19 October 2017, 11:06

is that a fatwa by your ayatollah or you have proof and evidence that he stole DT?

Thumb justin 19 October 2017, 12:55

this molecule is a a total waste; don't bother.