HARARE — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed it is waiting for a formal extradition request from South African authorities before moving to arrest celebrity musician and social media personality Malloti, who is wanted in connection with an armed robbery.
Speaking on the matter, the police deputy commissioner of Zimbabwe indicated that local law enforcement cannot act until formal diplomatic and legal channels are initiated by Pretoria.
"We are waiting for the South African authorities to make a formal request," the deputy commissioner said. He noted that Zimbabwe is part of international police organisations, including Interpol and SARPCCO (Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation), and has recently facilitated other extraditions to South Africa.
"Once the formal process has been conducted, I can assure you the Zimbabwe Republic Police, even the government of Zimbabwe, will not hesitate to hand over Malloti as long as the formal processes have been done," the deputy commissioner added. He emphasised that no one is "immune from arrest as long as they have committed a criminal act," regardless of whether the crime occurred in Zimbabwe or neighbouring countries.
The comments follow confirmation from the South African Police Service (SAPS) that a warrant of arrest has been issued for the musician in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk told IOL that the accused is wanted on a charge of robbery with a firearm. "The case was removed from the court roll until she is traced and arrested," Van Wyk said.
The SAPS docket is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who is expected to make arrangements to trace and extradite the accused from Zimbabwe. Documents indicate the warrant is linked to a 2017 case in Rondebosch.
The case is complicated by an apparent identity discrepancy. While the SAPS wanted notice and the South African arrest warrant identify the accused as Namatai Bhobho, Zimbabwean state media and local court records have identified the musician’s legal name as Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo. SAPS has not publicly clarified whether the two names refer to the same individual.
Despite the outstanding warrant, Malloti has maintained a highly visible public profile in Zimbabwe as a dancehall performer. She has also appeared in Zimbabwean courts on unrelated matters and has been involved in publicised disputes, including a feud with cleric Passion Java and controversies regarding the alleged use of a banned cough mixture.
Any potential extradition would require legal procedures in both jurisdictions, with Zimbabwean courts ultimately determining if the accused will be returned to South Africa to face the charges. - Zimbo LIVE LondonZRP Commissioner Paul Nyathi responds to the issue surrounding Malloti's arrest and possible extradition to South Africa at a recent meeting with journalists.
