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Andy Mashaile: NPA ‘bulldogs’ will pursue Zimbabwean musician Malloti over Western Cape armed robbery

Jonisayi Maromo|Published

Zimbabwean dancehall musician Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo, known as Malloti, is wanted in South Africa on a charge of robbery with a firearm linked to a 2017 Western Cape case

Image: Facebook

Retired Interpol ambassador and security strategist Andy Mashaile believes the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), under newly-appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi, will pursue Zimbabwean dancehall musician Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo, who is wanted on armed robbery charges in the Western Cape.

The renewed push to secure her extradition comes at a time of heightened cross-border legal cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe, following Harare’s recent request for the extradition of suspects linked to the US$4 million Bulawayo heist, including the Vumbunu brothers who are arrested in South Africa.

On Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed to IOL that the Zimbabwean musician and social media personality, known by her stage name Malloti, is wanted in South Africa on a charge of robbery with a firearm. Authorities are now moving to have her extradited from Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean musician and social media personality Malloti is wanted in South Africa in connection with a 2017 Western Cape armed robbery case, SAPS has confirmed to IOL.

Image: Facebook

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk told IOL 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 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,” Van Wyk said.

Documents previously seen by IOL show the matter is linked to a Rondebosch case registered in November 2017 under case number CAS 78/11/2017, indicating the alleged offence dates back several years.

Zimbabwean musician and social media personality Malloti is wanted in South Africa in connection with a 2017 Western Cape armed robbery case, SAPS has confirmed to IOL.

Image: Facebook

Van Wyk also confirmed that the docket is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after police received information suggesting the accused is believed to be living in Zimbabwe. The DPP’s office will now facilitate the necessary extradition processes through formal channels.

On Tuesday, Mashaile said that with Mothibi at the helm of the NPA, the legal machinery would move decisively.

“I think the NPA, with its new head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, working hand in glove with Interpol and the station that has the complaint, or through the province and senior authorities should go out, through an Interpol red notice, and speak to the National Central Bureau in Zimbabwe, the NCB Zimbabwe. They must communicate,” Mashaile told IOL in Pretoria.

“I am fully aware that there is an extradition agreement or treaty between South Africa and Zimbabwe, and therefore all stops must be pulled out until Millicent Tsitsi Chimonyo or Namatai Bhobho as she called herself in the Western Cape is brought to justice.”

Former chairman of Gauteng CPF Andy Mashaile with Muldersdrift executive member Jonathan Woortmeyer.

Image: File/ Bongiwe Mchunu

Mashaile said he had no doubt South African agencies, led by the NPA and working with Interpol structures, would intensify efforts to secure her return.

“These institutions must take us into their confidence by dragging her out from wherever she is hiding, or pulling her off the stage where she would be performing. The rule of law in the SADC area must be made to prevail and be respected. I have no mercy for a person like her, who has cases against her in South Africa. To me she is a serial suspect that benefits from the slow turnings of the wheels of justice,” said Mashaile.

“We have a responsibility to make sure that we hunt her down through the necessary law enforcement agencies. I can bet that with the NDPP Advocate Andy Mothibi at the helm, that woman is definitely going to have her day in court. I am certain that the NPA is going to be bullish or brutalish in its hunt for justice. They will be dragging her out with the bulldogs of justice and prosecution.

Advocate Andy Mothibi was recently appointed as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

Image: File

“The bulldogs of prosecution will go there and dig her up from wherever she is covering herself,” he said.

Last week, IOL reported that Zimbabwe is seeking the extradition of the Vumbunu brothers and other suspects believed to be in South Africa in connection with the US$4 million Bulawayo heist. The request, made under existing extradition agreements between the two countries, underscores the increasing use of formal legal channels to pursue suspects across borders in high-profile criminal cases.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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