CRIME CHART TOPPER - SAPS on hunt for Zimbabwe celebrity musician Malloti over armed robbery

The South African Police Service (SAPS) are on the hunt for Zimbabwean musician and social media personality Malloti.

The singer is wanted in South Africa on a charge of robbery with a firearm in Rondebosch, dating back to 2017, with authorities now moving to have her extradited from Zimbabwe.

The glibberige vrou even goes by different names, with the warrant of arrest was issued in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court for an accused identified as Namatai Bhobho. 

However, 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.

Speaking to IOL, Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said: “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 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.

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 bekgeveg with Zimbabwean cleric and socialite Passion Java. 

En dis nie al nie, H-Metro in Zimbabwe recently ran a front-page story linking Malloti to alleged consumption of BronCleer, a banned cough mixture often abused recreationally. 

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

He said: “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.”

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