SAPS hunts Zimbabwe celebrity musician over armed robbery

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed to IOL that Zimbabwean musician and social media personality Malloti is wanted in South Africa on a charge of robbery with a firearm, with authorities now moving to have her extradited from Zimbabwe.

Speaking to IOL, Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that a warrant of arrest was issued in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court for an accused identified as Namatai Bhobho.

"The accused is wanted on a case of robbery with 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 further confirmed to IOL that the docket is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after authorities received information that the accused is believed to be living 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.

Warrant linked to 2017 Rondebosch case

Documents seen by IOL show that the matter is linked to Rondebosch case number CAS 78/11/2017, indicating that the alleged offence dates back to 2017.

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

According to police, the case was removed from the court roll pending the arrest of the accused — a procedural step commonly taken when a suspect cannot be located.

Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of the alleged robbery incident.

Zimbabwean state media, including state-owned The Herald, has previously identified the musician's real name as Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo in separate court proceedings in Harare.

However, the South African warrant of arrest identifies the accused as Namatai Bhobho.

SAPS confirmed to IOL that Namatai Bhobho is the name appearing on the warrant issued in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court. Authorities have not publicly clarified whether the two names refer to the same individual.

Malloti, a Zimbabwean national who previously lived in South Africa before returning to Zimbabwe, continues to maintain an active public profile as a dancehall performer and social media personality.

Legal battles in Zimbabwe

Malloti has also appeared in Zimbabwean courts in separate matters.

In a report published by The Herald, the musician — identified in court proceedings as Millicent Chimonyo — appeared before a Harare magistrate in an unrelated case and was granted bail. The report confirmed her legal identity and status as a performer.

She was also involved in a widely publicised dispute with Zimbabwean cleric and socialite Passion Java, which resulted in legal proceedings and intense public exchanges. Media reports at the time detailed accusations and counter-accusations between the two, drawing significant attention.

Separately, H-Metro in Zimbabwe recently ran a front-page story linking Malloti to controversy surrounding the alleged consumption of BronCleer, a banned cough mixture often abused recreationally. The tabloid reported that she spoke openly about using the substance, triggering backlash and public debate.

While SAPS has confirmed that the current extradition process relates specifically to the Western Cape armed robbery case, Malloti's repeated appearances in court and public legal disputes have positioned her as a controversial figure whose celebrity status has frequently intersected with the justice system.

Hiding in plain sight

IOL spoke to Zimbabwean international investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa, who publishes DugUp online, and he said Malloti has been hiding in plain sight.

"We couldn't believe it when we first found out. We couldn't believe it at all. Fugitives tend to hide. This one was in plain sight. Living as a celebrity. It's why we then asked various authoritative figures. And while each of them said they were working on it, it went nowhere," Manyowa spoke to IOL.

"It's phenomenal that someone can be wanted for a serious offence that carries as many as 20 years in jail but live out in the open."

Extradition process begins

With the docket now before the DPP, the matter has entered the international cooperation phase.

South Africa and Zimbabwe have extradition arrangements that allow individuals facing criminal charges to be returned to the requesting country, subject to legal procedures in both jurisdictions.

If the extradition request proceeds, Zimbabwean courts would ultimately determine whether she is returned to South Africa to face the armed robbery charge.

This is a developing story.