Malloti Wanted In South Africa Over Armed Robbery

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that Zimbabwean musician and social media personality popularly known as Malloti Rose is wanted in South Africa on a charge of armed robbery.

SAPS said they are now taking steps to secure her extradition from Zimbabwe.

Speaking to Independent Online, Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk said the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court had issued a warrant of arrest for an accused identified as Namatai Bhobho. Said Van Wyk:

“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.”

He said the case is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after authorities received information suggesting she is living in Zimbabwe.

Van Wyk told Independent Online that the DPP’s office will arrange for the accused to be located and extradited to South Africa.

Documents obtained by IOL link the case to Rondebosch under case number CAS 78/11/2017, indicating that the alleged armed robbery dates back to 2017.

A SAPS wanted notice names the accused as Namatai Bhobho in connection with the investigation in the Western Cape.

According to police, the matter was removed from the court roll while the accused could not be located — a common procedural step in such cases.

SAPS, however, have not released further details about the alleged robbery.

The Herald Zimbabwe previously identified Malloti as Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo in separate court proceedings in Harare.

However, the South African arrest warrant lists the accused as Namatai Bhobho, and SAPS has not clarified publicly whether the two names refer to the same person.

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

Investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa, who publishes DugUp online, told IOL that Malloti appears to have been “hiding in plain sight” despite the outstanding warrant. Said Manyowa:

“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.

“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.”

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

If the request goes ahead, Zimbabwean courts will ultimately decide whether she is sent back to South Africa to face the armed robbery charge.