Diamond shame: Dealer dares Grace Mugabe

DIAMOND dealer Jamal Hamad has responded to Grace Mugabe’s lawsuit, daring the First Lady to furnish the High Court with evidence of transactions related to the $1,35 million botched diamond ring deal.

President Robert Mugabe’s wife conducted the extravagant transaction in 2015, just a year after claiming that her husband was “ … the poorest president the world over”.

Grace sued the British businessman earlier this week claiming he defrauded her by delivering a diamond ring worth $30,000 instead of the $1,35 million ornament she ordered.

“The plaintiff wanted to purchase a unique diamond ring for her wedding anniversary celebrations,” the First Lady said in court documents.

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

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

Responding, Hamed filed his papers through Harare lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa this Friday demanding that Grace provides evidence to back her allegations before trial.

“When, exactly, is it alleged the payment was done? Full dates are required. Full details of the account holder, the account number and a copy of the account statement are required,” Hamed said in the court application obtained by Reuters.

The Belgium-based Hamal also said the first lady should also prove that the companies she is pleading to dispose to recover her money indeed belong to him.

The ring, supposedly for Grace Mugabe’s wedding anniversary, came under spotlight after the businessman pleaded with the courts to stop Grace, together with her son Russell, from harassing him and grabbing “his” properties in Harare over the deal.

The High Court granted the businessman reprieve last December but Grace allegedly disregarded the ruling and reportedly blocked Hamad from the properties using State security agencies.

The court case has helped again expose the first lady’s expensive tastes which earned her the nickname Gucci Grace. Her children Robert and Bellarmine have, in the past, also allowed the public glimpses into their lavish lifestyles through social media posts.

President Robert Mugabe himself faces criticism over excessive executive expenditure blown on endless trips with bloated delegations at a time over two thirds of the population live in abject poverty.