Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested two Harare women in connection with a sophisticated lithium smuggling syndicate that allegedly smuggled 720 tonnes of the strategic mineral to China using fraudulent documents bearing the name of Bikita Minerals.
The accused, Shuvai Muza (30) and Charlene Tanyaradzwa Chivandire (38), both of Greendale, Harare, appeared in court recently facing charges related to smuggling and attempted smuggling of lithium ore.
Two Chinese nationals, Ning Yaokun, also known as Tony, and an accomplice identified only as Scarlet, are also implicated in the alleged scheme, but are on the run.
According to ZACC investigations, the syndicate established an illegal lithium processing and dispatch operation in Ruwa before exporting consignments through Forbes Border Post in Mutare using fraudulent export documentation.
Investigators allege that in December 2025, Yaokun and Scarlet devised a plan to illegally export unbeneficiated lithium ore to China.
In March this year, Yaokun allegedly secured a six-month lease for a six-hectare property at Plot 5, Cheltenham Park Drive in Ruwa from Robert and Tirivanhu Baiwa.
Soon after acquiring the site, the suspects reportedly moved in industrial equipment, including jaw crushers, a front-end loader, TLB machines, generators and other machinery, while employing local workers to establish operations.
ZACC alleges that by April, lithium ore was being stockpiled at the property, with processing activities commencing the following month.
The Chinese nationals allegedly engaged a clearing agent and hatched a plan to evade customs regulations by using fraudulent export documents purportedly issued by Bikita Minerals.
“Sometime in April 2026, the accused persons started stockpiling lithium ore at the plot, and sometime in May 2026 they commenced operations. Yaokun and Scarlet acted in common purpose to handle ground operations, process fraudulent paperwork and arrange haulage links with local transport brokers,” said ZACC.
Investigations revealed that on July 16, 2026, Yaokun, through Orequest (Private) Limited, allegedly booked 40 shipping containers with Maersk Harare to facilitate the export of lithium ore.
At the same time, Chivandire reportedly contracted transport brokers to source haulage trucks, allegedly assuring operators that each truck would be paid US$1 600 in cash upon loading.
To facilitate the alleged scheme, Yaokun and Scarlet are said to have enlisted Mutare-based clearing agent, Brian Sakarombe, to process customs exit formalities using fraudulent export documents falsely bearing Bikita Minerals’ details.
The operation began to unravel when alert border officials detected irregularities in the paperwork presented at Forbes Border Post.
According to ZACC, Sakarombe allegedly attempted to bribe ZIMRA officials after the documents were flagged, resulting in his arrest.
Investigators say the suspects then attempted to source alternative fraudulent documentation to continue exporting the mineral.
Despite the interception of some consignments, authorities allege that one truck loaded at the Ruwa site successfully crossed through Forbes Border Post before delivering its cargo to the Port of Beira in Mozambique.
Two additional trucks carrying lithium ore were intercepted at Forbes Border Post after officials established that the Bikita Minerals export documents were fraudulent.
The failed export attempt ultimately exposed the wider smuggling operation.
ZACC investigations later traced container bookings at Maersk Harare to Orequest (Private) Limited, allegedly acting through Yaokun.
A subsequent raid at the Ruwa site led to the discovery of large stockpiles of lithium ore and mining equipment suspected to have been used in the operation.
“Total recoveries effected comprise 420 tonnes of unauthorised lithium ore, consisting of 300 tonnes remaining at the Ruwa yard, 60 tonnes across two containers aborted at Lochinvar and 60 tonnes intercepted at Forbes Border Post,” said ZACC.
Authorities also seized equipment allegedly used in the commission of the crime, including a jaw crusher plant, front-end loader, TLB machines, a heavy-duty generator and 20 wheelbarrows.
Investigators estimate that the syndicate successfully smuggled 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore out of Zimbabwe through Forbes Border Post using 23 truckloads, in addition to another 30-tonne consignment that cleared the border.
The total value of the mineral and the financial prejudice suffered by the State is still being assessed by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.
ZACC said investigations are continuing and efforts are underway to locate the two Chinese nationals believed to be the masterminds behind the alleged smuggling racket.
