Chinese National Arrested in Zimbabwe Lithium Smuggling Probe

By Staff Reporter | Harare

A Chinese national has been arrested in connection with an alleged syndicate that smuggled 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore out of Zimbabwe using fraudulent export documents.

Ning Yaokun, also known as Tony, surrendered to authorities on September 10 and was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which is investigating the alleged smuggling operation. Yaokun is a co-director of Orequest (Pvt) Ltd and is facing charges under the Customs and Excise Act, including attempted smuggling and unlawful dealing. He was expected to appear before the Harare Magistrates' Court for an initial remand hearing.

The allegations place Yaokun at the centre of a wider investigation into the alleged illegal movement of raw lithium ore out of Zimbabwe. According to investigators, Orequest allegedly operated an illicit mineral-processing and dispatch site at Plot 5, Cheltenham Park Drive, Ruwa, where lithium ore was stockpiled and processed before being prepared for export. The alleged operation reportedly used fraudulent documentation to move the mineral through Forbes Border Post in Mutare.

ZACC said its investigations established that approximately 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore had allegedly been successfully smuggled out of Zimbabwe in 23 trucks. The full financial prejudice to the State has not yet been established, with the value expected to be assessed by Ministry of Mines and Mining Development evaluators.

Investigators have also recovered another 420 tonnes of lithium ore believed to be connected to the alleged operation. Of the recovered material, 300 tonnes were seized from the Ruwa site, while 60 tonnes were recovered from two containers abandoned at a truck stop in Harare's Lochinvar area. A further 60 tonnes were intercepted at Forbes Border Post, according to ZACC.

Authorities also seized equipment allegedly used in the operation, including a jaw crusher, front-end loader, TLB machines, heavy-duty generator and 20 wheelbarrows. The investigation had already resulted in the arrest and court appearances of three other suspects. They are Chinese national Minmin Song, as well as Shuvai Muza and Charlene Tanyaradzwa Chivandire, who are on remand in connection with the allegations.

Another suspect, identified only as Malvern, remains at large. The case follows a series of allegations surrounding the attempted illegal export of lithium from Zimbabwe at a time when the Government is tightening controls over the export of raw minerals. Zimbabwe has progressively strengthened its mineral beneficiation policy, arguing that the country should process more of its mineral resources locally rather than exporting raw material.

In March, the Government reaffirmed an indefinite ban on the export of raw minerals, extending the restriction beyond lithium concentrates. The policy is intended to promote domestic value addition and retain more economic value from Zimbabwe's mineral resources.

The alleged Orequest operation therefore comes amid a broader Government drive to increase local processing and curb mineral revenue leakages.

Earlier court proceedings involving Minmin Song provided further details of the alleged operation. The State alleges that Song, Yaokun and another Chinese national identified as Andy established the Ruwa site and began stockpiling lithium ore before commencing operations. Investigators allege that fraudulent export documents bearing the name of Bikita Minerals were subsequently used in attempts to move the ore through Forbes Border Post.

Two trucks were intercepted at Forbes on July 23, while another consignment allegedly crossed into Mozambique and was transported to the Port of Beira. The investigation is continuing, and prosecutors are expected to present further details as the accused persons appear before the courts. Yaokun remains presumed innocent unless convicted, and the allegations against him and the other accused have yet to be tested through trial.

For Zimbabwe, however, the case highlights the growing enforcement challenge around strategic minerals as the country seeks to move from exporting raw resources towards domestic beneficiation and higher-value mineral processing.

Zimbabwe lithium smuggling