ZACC uncovers alleged lithium smuggling syndicate, businesswoman arrested

A joint investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has uncovered an alleged lithium smuggling syndicate involving local and foreign nationals, with one suspect already appearing in court. Tsitsi Manyumwa, a director of Kunshan Mineral Consultancy (Private) Limited, has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged illegal export of lithium ore to China. She recently appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Mutare, who granted her US$1,000 bail and remanded the matter to 23 July 2026.

According to ZACC, Manyumwa is facing charges under Section 189 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as well as the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) Order, 2023. Investigators allege that Manyumwa acted in concert with clearing agent Simbarashe Shaza and foreign national Li Dewen, who are both still at large, to illegally export unbeneficiated lithium ore through Forbes Border Post destined for China.

According to investigators, the alleged syndicate used six haulage trucks between 15 and 17 May 2026 to collect shipping containers from MSC before transporting lithium ore from CEVAFRICA Logistics in Harare. The cargo was reportedly moved towards Forbes Border Post on 20 May 2026. The alleged operation began to unravel when ZIMRA officials intercepted two trucks after their drivers declared they were transporting empty containers.

Following questioning, the drivers allegedly admitted they were carrying lithium ore, leading to the seizure of both trucks. Investigators further recovered a Mozambican transit declaration indicating that one of the consignments was destined for Beira Port in Mozambique. Following the interceptions, four of the six trucks allegedly returned to Harare.

Investigations later led to the recovery of two shipping containers on 18 June 2026, while another truck was intercepted in Goromonzi and impounded at a BAK storage facility. ZACC alleges that on 28 May 2026, one container was transferred onto another haulage truck in Msasa before continuing its journey using fraudulent export documentation allegedly supplied by Shaza.

Authorities allege the syndicate cloned an expired export permit issued to Bikita Minerals and ZimAlloys Chrome for petalite concentrate to facilitate the illegal export of lithium ore. Investigators say the group intended to export approximately 204 tonnes of lithium ore, although only 34 tonnes are believed to have left Zimbabwe before the operation was disrupted. The seized lithium ore has an estimated value of US$100,000, according to investigators.

The State is represented by prosecutor Takudzwa Jambaya, while investigations are continuing as authorities pursue the remaining suspects. Zimbabwe has tightened controls over the export of unprocessed lithium in recent years as part of efforts to promote local mineral beneficiation and maximise value from the country's rapidly growing lithium sector.

Zimbabwe lithium smuggling syndicate