SAPS Launch Extradition Bid for Malloti Over 2017 Armed Robbery
Cape Town / Harare — The legal net is tightening around controversial Zimbabwean musician Malloti, legally identified as Namatai Bhobho. South African authorities have officially initiated formal proceedings to have the influencer extradited from Zimbabwe to face trial for a violent armed robbery committed in the Western Cape nearly a decade ago. The case, which had remained dormant while Bhobho’s location was unknown, has been revitalized by the Western Cape SAPS following a warrant of arrest issued by the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
This cross-border legal pursuit marks a significant escalation for the "You Can’t Blame My Past" singer, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) moves to navigate SADC extradition protocols. While Malloti has recently attempted to pivot her public image toward Zimbabwean lifestyle influence, South African investigators maintain that the 2017 Rondebosch heist (Case CAS 78/11/2017) remains an active pursuit of justice. For the Zimbabwean public, the case serves as a high-profile test of regional judicial cooperation and a stark reminder that digital fame offers no sanctuary from historic criminal allegations.
CASE STATUS: Active Warrant — The accused is sought for robbery with a firearm and faces immediate detention upon re-entry into South African territory.
Armed Robbery Charges
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Captain F.C. Van Wyk, confirmed that the warrant stems from the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. The authorities have identified the accused as Namatai Bhobho.
“The accused is wanted on a case of robbery with a firearm,” Van Wyk stated. While specific details of the 2017 incident haven't been released, the classification of "armed robbery" carries serious weight in the South African justice system.
Cross-Border Manhunt
Because the suspect is believed to be residing in Zimbabwe, the police cannot simply cross the border to make an arrest. The matter has been handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
"The DPP’s office will make arrangements for the accused to be traced and then to be extradited back to South Africa," Captain Van Wyk explained.
The File: CAS 78/11/2017
Documents reviewed by IOL link the matter to Rondebosch case number CAS 78/11/2017, confirming the alleged incident occurred in late 2017.
Currently, the case has been temporarily removed from the court roll. This is standard procedure when a suspect cannot be located; the moment Bhobho is apprehended and returned to the Western Cape, the matter will be reinstated.
The Path to Extradition
This official confirmation from the Western Cape SAPS transforms what were once dismissed as "social media trolls" into a high-stakes judicial reality. While Malloti has used her digital platforms to downplay her past, the formal involvement of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) confirms that the South African state is no longer content to wait for a voluntary surrender.
The focus now shifts to the extradition treaties between Harare and Pretoria. As law enforcement agencies synchronize their efforts, this case serves as a landmark moment for the Zimbabwean entertainment industry, highlighting that digital influence cannot supersede regional security protocols or the long-standing pursuit of justice for violent crimes.
Sona Headlines will continue to monitor the DPP’s filings as this cross-border legal battle unfolds.
Source: Independent report via SAPS and IOL news bulletins.
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