A joint operation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has uncovered a well-coordinated lithium smuggling syndicate involving local and foreign nationals.
ZACC has already arrested a local businesswoman, Tsitsi Manyumwa, while the net is also closing in on other accomplices, who remain at large.
Manyumwa, a director at Kunshan Mineral Consultancy (Pvt) Limited, was recently arrested by ZACC for contravening Section 189 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) Order, 2023.
It is alleged that Manyumwa, acting with Simbarashe Shaza, a clearing agent who is still at large, and Li Dewen, a foreign national who is also on the run, devised a plan to fraudulently export lithium ore to China through the Forbes Border Post.
They allegedly used six haulage trucks between 15 and 17 May 2026 to collect cargo containers from MSC to transport lithium ore from CEVAFRICA Logistics in Harare.
The ore was transported to the Forbes Border Post on 20 May, where two trucks were intercepted by ZIMRA officials after the drivers misrepresented that they were carrying empty containers.
Under questioning, the drivers admitted to carrying lithium ore, leading to the seizure of the trucks.
Further investigations revealed that one of the drivers had a Mozambican transit declaration form indicating he was transporting lithium to Beira.
Four of the six trucks reportedly returned to Harare after it emerged that two had been intercepted.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of two containers on 18 June 2026.
Another truck was intercepted in Goromonzi and seized at a BAK storage facility.
Investigations further established that on 28 May 2026, a container and its cargo were trans-shipped to another haulage truck in Msasa.
The truck reportedly proceeded with the consignment, and the driver was handed fraudulent export documents by Simbarashe Shaza, which enabled him to exit Zimbabwe.
Investigators found that the syndicate cloned an expired Bikita Minerals and ZimAlloys Chrome export permit for petalite concentrate to facilitate the smuggling of 204 tonnes, although only 34 tonnes were successfully shipped out.
Manyumwa has since appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Mutare. She was remanded to 23 July 2026 on US$1,000 bail. Takudzwa Jambaya represented the State.
The seized lithium ore was valued at US$100,000.
More: The Sunday Mail
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