SOUTH AFRICA – A Zimbabwean national Wellington Masiwa, a vocal critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa known online as Nyokayemabhunu, is now battling both immigration charges in South Africa and an international arrest warrant issued in Zimbabwe, which was served to him in court on Wednesday.
This development occurred during his appearance at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on separate immigration charges.
Masiwa was initially arrested on April 13, 2025, for allegedly violating South Africa’s Immigration Act by being in the country without a valid visa or permit and for possessing falsified documents.
The international arrest warrant, issued by Zimbabwean authorities, states that Masiwa is wanted in Zimbabwe to serve an 18-month sentence for a fraud conviction under Section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The warrant was issued under Article 10 of the SADC Protocol on Extradition, to which both South Africa and Zimbabwe are signatories.
“WHEREAS I am in receipt of information under oath that a warrant of arrest has been issued in the Republic of Zimbabwe against MR WELLINGTON MASIWA and that he is wanted to serve sentenced of 18 Months for One count of Fraud defined in Section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23], Laws of Zimbabwe,” read part of the warrant.
“AND WHEREAS I am also of the opinion, based upon information placed before me, that the issuing of a warrant of arrest under Section 5(1) (b) of the Extradition Act 67 of 1962, in respect of MR WELLINGTON MASIWA would have been justified on the similar charge of Fraud, had it been alleged that he committed the said offence in the Republic, and that he is a person liable to be surrendered to the Republic of Zimbabwe.”
During today’s court proceedings for the immigration charges, Masiwa’s bail application was stalled due to discrepancies in his identity documents.
He presented a Zimbabwean birth certificate and identity card showing a different date of birth than the one claimed by the Zimbabwean government.
South African prosecution authorities stated that the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa was alleging that Masiwa’s documents were fake.
The Zimbabwean government argued that his birth year is 1977, while Masiwa’s documents indicate 1987. The case has been postponed to May 9, 2025.
Masiwa’s lawyer, Chrispen Machingura, relayed to prominent investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono that his client believed the fraud charge was a pretext to extradite him to Zimbabwe.
Masiwa alleged that the Zimbabwean government intended to use the judiciary in Zimbabwe to punish him for operating anti-Mnangagwa WhatsApp channels from South Africa.
Machingura also informed that all WhatsApp channels previously run by Masiwa had been hacked and were now reportedly disseminating pornographic content.
Zimbabwe is experiencing a rise in political tensions linked to Zanu-PF succession infighting.
Repeated calls for Mnangagwa to step down are being spearheaded by a faction of war veterans led by former Zanu-PF Central Committee member Blessed Geza, who is also wanted by the police on political charges.
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