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Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe court over mineral smuggling
4 hrs ago |
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Two Chinese nationals have appeared before a Harare court facing allegations of illegally exporting large quantities of minerals from Zimbabwe in a scheme that prosecutors say involved collusion with officials from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and other accomplices who remain at large.
Peng Jinming, a haulage transport operator, and Qu Lel, the proprietor of Leich Battery Recycle, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa facing charges of fraud and smuggling.
According to the State, the two men allegedly devised a plan in July 2025 to export minerals and mineral-related products to China and Malaysia without complying with Zimbabwe's export regulations.
Prosecutors allege that the accused acted in concert to circumvent restrictions governing the export of strategic minerals, including lithium, chrome, copper, antimony, lead and quartz.
The State further alleges that the pair worked with officials from MMCZ, Zimra and other unidentified accomplices to bypass export controls and facilitate the movement of minerals through Forbes Border Post.
Court papers allege that the accused unlawfully exported substantial quantities of minerals, including 780 tonnes of lead, 2,310 tonnes of quartz, 180 tonnes of copper, 30 tonnes of antimony, 60 tonnes of lithium and 390 tonnes of chrome destined for markets in China and Malaysia.
To avoid export duties, taxes and regulatory scrutiny, the accused allegedly submitted false declarations regarding the contents of shipping containers.
Prosecutors claim that some consignments were declared as empty containers, while others were allegedly misrepresented as carrying authorised cargo.
The court heard that minerals were concealed in containers disguised as transporting legitimate goods or no cargo at all.
The alleged scheme enabled the export of minerals without the necessary approvals and documentation required under Zimbabwean law, prosecutors said.
As a result of the alleged offences, the State claims to have suffered financial prejudice, although the full value of the losses is still being assessed.
"No recoveries have been made," the court heard.
The prosecution maintains that the accused were not authorised to export the minerals in the manner alleged and that investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the operation.
The case is expected to draw significant attention given Zimbabwe's efforts to tighten control over mineral exports and curb illicit financial flows from the mining sector, which remains one of the country's most important sources of export revenue.
The matter was remanded for further proceedings as investigations continue.
Peng Jinming, a haulage transport operator, and Qu Lel, the proprietor of Leich Battery Recycle, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa facing charges of fraud and smuggling.
According to the State, the two men allegedly devised a plan in July 2025 to export minerals and mineral-related products to China and Malaysia without complying with Zimbabwe's export regulations.
Prosecutors allege that the accused acted in concert to circumvent restrictions governing the export of strategic minerals, including lithium, chrome, copper, antimony, lead and quartz.
The State further alleges that the pair worked with officials from MMCZ, Zimra and other unidentified accomplices to bypass export controls and facilitate the movement of minerals through Forbes Border Post.
Court papers allege that the accused unlawfully exported substantial quantities of minerals, including 780 tonnes of lead, 2,310 tonnes of quartz, 180 tonnes of copper, 30 tonnes of antimony, 60 tonnes of lithium and 390 tonnes of chrome destined for markets in China and Malaysia.
To avoid export duties, taxes and regulatory scrutiny, the accused allegedly submitted false declarations regarding the contents of shipping containers.
Prosecutors claim that some consignments were declared as empty containers, while others were allegedly misrepresented as carrying authorised cargo.
The court heard that minerals were concealed in containers disguised as transporting legitimate goods or no cargo at all.
The alleged scheme enabled the export of minerals without the necessary approvals and documentation required under Zimbabwean law, prosecutors said.
As a result of the alleged offences, the State claims to have suffered financial prejudice, although the full value of the losses is still being assessed.
"No recoveries have been made," the court heard.
The prosecution maintains that the accused were not authorised to export the minerals in the manner alleged and that investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the operation.
The case is expected to draw significant attention given Zimbabwe's efforts to tighten control over mineral exports and curb illicit financial flows from the mining sector, which remains one of the country's most important sources of export revenue.
The matter was remanded for further proceedings as investigations continue.
Source - the herald
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