Police in SA move to extradite Malloti from Zimbabwe over armed robbery charges

CAPE TOWN – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that Zimbabwean musician and social media figure Malloti is being sought in connection with a robbery involving a firearm with authorities reportedly initiating steps to secure her extradition from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

In an interview with the Independent Online (IOL), the Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk said the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court had issued a warrant of arrest for a suspect identified as Namatai Bhobho.

Zimbabwean state media, including the government-owned The Herald, has previously reported the musician’s legal name as Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo in separate court proceedings in Harare.

In contrast, the South African arrest warrant lists the suspect as Namatai Bhobho.

SAPS confirmed to Independent Online that Namatai Bhobho is the name appearing on the warrant issued by the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, but authorities have not publicly stated whether the two names refer to the same person.

“The accused is wanted on a case of robbery with a firearm after a Warrant of Arrest was issued for her in Wynberg court. The case was removed from the court roll until she is traced and arrested,” Van Wyk said.

He also stated that the case file has been handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after police received information suggesting that the suspect is currently residing in Zimbabwe.

“The DPP’s office will make arrangements for the accused to be traced and then to be extradited back to South Africa,” he said.

Documents obtained by IOL indicate that the matter relates to Rondebosch case number CAS 78/11/2017, suggesting that the alleged crime occurred in 2017.

A SAPS wanted notice names Namatai Bhobho as the suspect in connection with an armed robbery investigation in the Western Cape.

Police said the case was removed from the court roll while awaiting the arrest of the accused, a standard procedure when a suspect cannot be found.

Authorities have not released additional information about the details surrounding the alleged robbery.

Malloti, a Zimbabwean national who previously resided in South Africa before returning to her home country, remains a visible figure in the public eye as a dancehall artist and social media personality.

Despite the legal issues, she continues to maintain an active profile in entertainment and online platforms.