The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of Ning Yaokun, a Chinese national also known as Tony and co-director of Orequest (Pvt) Ltd, in connection with a massive lithium ore smuggling operation.
Yaokun surrendered to authorities on 10 September, 2026, and is expected to appear before the Harare Magistrates’ Court today, 11 September, 2026, for initial remand.
He faces charges of contravening section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02]; attempted smuggling, as defined in 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.
Investigations have uncovered a sophisticated illicit operation based in Ruwa.
“Investigations established that 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,” said ZACC.
The syndicate allegedly relied on forged paperwork to move the minerals across the border.
“The syndicate allegedly used fraudulent documentation to facilitate the export of lithium ore through Forbes Border Post in Mutare.”
The scale of the alleged smuggling operation has caused significant financial harm to the State.
“Investigations revealed that 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore were allegedly smuggled out of Zimbabwe, causing financial prejudice to the State,” the commission stated, noting the full extent of the prejudice is yet to be quantified.
Authorities have since seized heavy machinery allegedly utilised in the processing and stockpiling of the ore.
“ZACC also seized equipment allegedly used in the illicit operations, including a jaw-crusher plant, a front-end loader, TLB machines, a heavy-duty generator and 20 wheelbarrows.”
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.
Other accused persons in the matter include Minmin Song, a Chinese national, 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.