By A Correspondent – The Zimbabwe Republic Police has said it cannot move against a Zimbabwe-based musician wanted in South Africa until it receives a formal extradition application from Pretoria.

Authorities confirmed that socialite and performer Malloti is being sought by South African law enforcement in connection with an armed robbery matter, but local police insist due process must be followed before any arrest can be made.

A senior police official explained that Zimbabwean authorities are bound by international legal frameworks and cannot act unilaterally.

“We are waiting for the South African authorities to make a formal request,” the deputy commissioner said.

He added that Zimbabwe works closely with international policing bodies such as Interpol and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation, and has previously cooperated with extradition processes involving neighbouring countries.
“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,” he said.
The official stressed that legal accountability applies across borders.

“No one is immune from arrest as long as they have committed a criminal act,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service has confirmed that a warrant of arrest has already been issued for the musician by the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape.

According to Western Cape police spokesperson F.C. Van Wyk, the suspect is wanted in connection with a robbery involving a firearm.

“The case was removed from the court roll until she is traced and arrested,” Van Wyk told IOL.

The case file is currently with South Africa’s Director of Public Prosecutions, who is expected to initiate the formal extradition process. Reports indicate that the warrant relates to an incident that occurred in 2017 in Rondebosch.

However, the matter has been complicated by discrepancies in the suspect’s identity. South African documents name the accused as Namatai Bhobho, while Zimbabwean records and state media identify the artist as Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo. Authorities have yet to clarify whether both names refer to the same individual.

Despite the legal cloud, Malloti has remained active in Zimbabwe’s entertainment scene, maintaining a strong public presence as a dancehall artist. She has also appeared in local courts over separate issues and has been involved in high-profile disputes, including a public fallout with Passion Java.

Any extradition would ultimately depend on legal proceedings in both countries, with Zimbabwean courts expected to determine whether the accused can be transferred to South Africa to face trial.