Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a Chinese national and co-director of Orequest (Pvt) Ltd, Ning Yaokun, also known as Tony, in connection with the alleged smuggling of lithium ore out of the country.
Yaokun was arrested on September 10 after surrendering himself to the authorities.
He is expected to appear before the Harare Magistrates’ Court today for initial remand.
Yaokun faces charges of contravening Section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02], attempted smuggling as defined under Section 189 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], as read with Section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act, and unlawful dealing.
According to investigations, Orequest (Pvt) Ltd allegedly operated an illicit mineral-processing and dispatch site at Plot 5, Cheltenham Park Drive, Ruwa, where lithium ore was stockpiled and processed for export.
The syndicate allegedly used fraudulent documentation to facilitate the export of lithium ore through Forbes Border Post in Mutare.
Investigations revealed that 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore were allegedly smuggled out of Zimbabwe, resulting in financial prejudice to the State.
The full extent of the prejudice is yet to be quantified.
During the investigations, ZACC recovered 420 tonnes of lithium ore, comprising 300 tonnes from the Ruwa stockpile, 60 tonnes from two containers abandoned at a truck stop in Lochinvar, Harare, and another 60 tonnes intercepted at Forbes Border Post.
ZACC also seized equipment allegedly used in the illicit operations, including a jaw crusher plant, front-end loader, TLB machines, a heavy-duty generator and 20 wheelbarrows.
Other accused persons in the matter are Chinese national, Minmin Song, Shuvai Muza and Charlene Chivandire.
They have already appeared before the courts and are on remand.
Another suspect, identified only as Malvern, remains at large.
