Namibia's deputy prime minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has denied speculation that her country is harbouring Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe.

“There is no truth in that,” the state-owned New Era newspapers quotes her as saying. She adds:

I have not received any such information – what we have been informed is that the first lady and the family are safe at their home."

Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah, who also serves as foreign minister, is quoted as saying the events in neighbouring Zimbabwe are of great concern:

Namibia is concerned that the present situation in Zimbabwe creates uncertainty that is not conducive to peace, stability and consolidation of democracy in Zimbabwe and the region as a whole."