News / National
ZACC busts lithium smuggling syndicate
2 hrs ago |
49 Views
A joint operation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has uncovered an alleged lithium smuggling syndicate involving local suspects and a foreign national, leading to the arrest of a Harare businesswoman.
ZACC confirmed the arrest of Tsitsi Manyumwa, a director of Kunshan Mineral Consultancy, on allegations of contravening Section 189 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) Order, 2023.
Investigators allege that Manyumwa conspired with clearing agent Simbarashe Shaza and a foreign national, Li Dewen, both of whom remain at large, to fraudulently export lithium ore to China through Forbes Border Post.
According to investigators, the syndicate used six haulage trucks between May 15 and 17, 2026, to collect cargo containers from MSC and transport lithium ore from CEVAFRICA Logistics in Harare.
The trucks allegedly arrived at Forbes Border Post on May 20, where two were intercepted by ZIMRA officials after declaring they were carrying empty containers.
Police said questioning of the drivers revealed that the trucks were transporting lithium ore, resulting in the seizure of the vehicles.
Investigators also recovered a Mozambican transit declaration indicating that one of the consignments was destined for Beira.
Following the interceptions, four of the six trucks reportedly returned to Harare.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of two cargo containers on June 18, while another truck was intercepted in Goromonzi and seized at a BAK storage facility.
Investigators further allege that on May 28 a container was trans-shipped onto another haulage truck in Msasa before leaving Zimbabwe using fraudulent export documentation allegedly supplied by Shaza.
According to ZACC, the syndicate allegedly cloned an expired export permit issued to Bikita Minerals and Zim Alloy-Chrome for petalite concentrate to facilitate the attempted smuggling of approximately 204 tonnes of lithium ore, although authorities allege that only 34 tonnes were successfully exported.
Manyumwa has since appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Mutare and was remanded to July 23, 2026, on US$1,000 bail.
The seized lithium ore is valued at approximately US$100,000.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu said the commission is working closely with ZIMRA to combat the illegal export of raw minerals.
"The commission complements the Government policy banning exportation of raw minerals, including lithium, through interagency cooperation and collaboration.
"We are collaborating with ZIMRA in monitoring cargo and investigating suspected cases of smuggling. This is intended to deter would-be smugglers," she said.
The investigation comes after the Government prohibited the export of unprocessed lithium and other strategic minerals as part of efforts to promote local beneficiation and increase export earnings.
Authorities say Zimbabwe is investing in advanced mineral laboratories to improve ore analysis and maximise value addition before export.
Mining companies including Bravura Zimbabwe, Bikita Minerals, Kamativi Mining Company, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, Gwanda Lithium and Sabi Star have collectively invested millions of dollars in laboratory facilities designed to identify valuable associated minerals such as tantalum, caesium, tin and feldspar.
Mining analyst Walter Sakala said improved laboratory capacity represents an important step in increasing the value derived from Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
"Historically, mining in many developing countries focused primarily on extracting the headline mineral while overlooking associated minerals that could significantly improve project economics," Sakala said.
"Laboratories change that equation because they provide precise data on everything contained in the ore body."
Zimbabwe has emerged as one of the world's leading hard-rock lithium producers, attracting billions of dollars in investment from international mining companies in recent years.
ZACC confirmed the arrest of Tsitsi Manyumwa, a director of Kunshan Mineral Consultancy, on allegations of contravening Section 189 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) Order, 2023.
Investigators allege that Manyumwa conspired with clearing agent Simbarashe Shaza and a foreign national, Li Dewen, both of whom remain at large, to fraudulently export lithium ore to China through Forbes Border Post.
According to investigators, the syndicate used six haulage trucks between May 15 and 17, 2026, to collect cargo containers from MSC and transport lithium ore from CEVAFRICA Logistics in Harare.
The trucks allegedly arrived at Forbes Border Post on May 20, where two were intercepted by ZIMRA officials after declaring they were carrying empty containers.
Police said questioning of the drivers revealed that the trucks were transporting lithium ore, resulting in the seizure of the vehicles.
Investigators also recovered a Mozambican transit declaration indicating that one of the consignments was destined for Beira.
Following the interceptions, four of the six trucks reportedly returned to Harare.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of two cargo containers on June 18, while another truck was intercepted in Goromonzi and seized at a BAK storage facility.
Investigators further allege that on May 28 a container was trans-shipped onto another haulage truck in Msasa before leaving Zimbabwe using fraudulent export documentation allegedly supplied by Shaza.
According to ZACC, the syndicate allegedly cloned an expired export permit issued to Bikita Minerals and Zim Alloy-Chrome for petalite concentrate to facilitate the attempted smuggling of approximately 204 tonnes of lithium ore, although authorities allege that only 34 tonnes were successfully exported.
The seized lithium ore is valued at approximately US$100,000.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu said the commission is working closely with ZIMRA to combat the illegal export of raw minerals.
"The commission complements the Government policy banning exportation of raw minerals, including lithium, through interagency cooperation and collaboration.
"We are collaborating with ZIMRA in monitoring cargo and investigating suspected cases of smuggling. This is intended to deter would-be smugglers," she said.
The investigation comes after the Government prohibited the export of unprocessed lithium and other strategic minerals as part of efforts to promote local beneficiation and increase export earnings.
Authorities say Zimbabwe is investing in advanced mineral laboratories to improve ore analysis and maximise value addition before export.
Mining companies including Bravura Zimbabwe, Bikita Minerals, Kamativi Mining Company, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, Gwanda Lithium and Sabi Star have collectively invested millions of dollars in laboratory facilities designed to identify valuable associated minerals such as tantalum, caesium, tin and feldspar.
Mining analyst Walter Sakala said improved laboratory capacity represents an important step in increasing the value derived from Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
"Historically, mining in many developing countries focused primarily on extracting the headline mineral while overlooking associated minerals that could significantly improve project economics," Sakala said.
"Laboratories change that equation because they provide precise data on everything contained in the ore body."
Zimbabwe has emerged as one of the world's leading hard-rock lithium producers, attracting billions of dollars in investment from international mining companies in recent years.
Source - Sunday Mail
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
