A 32-year-old Mutare customs clearance runner accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to smuggle 204 tonnes of lithium ore to China using a cloned export permit from Bikita Minerals has been arrested and remanded in custody following his escape to Mozambique, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Simbarashe Shazha, of Greenside, appeared before Mutare magistrate Poterai Gwezhira facing two counts of attempted export and export of unbeneficiated base mineral ore under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) Order, 2023.
The court heard that Shazha, who allegedly fled to Mozambique after his accomplices were arrested, was apprehended on Thursday upon his return to Zimbabwe.
Prosecutor Deliwe Masibhera alleged that in May, Shazha conspired with Tsitsi Manyumwa, a co-director of Kunshan Mineral Consultancy, and a Chinese national, Li Dewen, who remains at large, to fraudulently export lithium ore to China via Forbes Border Post.
Bikita Minerals Permit Fraudulently Cloned
According to investigators from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the syndicate cloned an expired export permit issued to Bikita Minerals (Pvt) Ltd and ZimAlloys Chrome for petalite concentrate to facilitate the smuggling operation. The fraudulent documentation was used to make the illegal export appear legitimate.
This incident follows a pattern of fraudulent permit use targeting legitimate mining operations. In a previous case, a Chinese businesswoman was denied bail for allegedly defrauding a company of US$160,000 using a counterfeit lithium export permit. Additionally, sources indicate that Chinese mining companies, including Sinomine—which owns Bikita Minerals—have raised concerns with Zimbabwean authorities about the fraudulent use of their export permits by smuggling syndicates.
Six-Truck Convoy and Sophisticated Smuggling Operation
The State alleged that between May 15 and 17, Manyumwa procured six haulage trucks to collect cargo containers from MSC for loading with lithium ore warehoused at CEVAFRICA Logistics Zimbabwe in Harare. The trucks then proceeded to Forbes Border Post, intending to cross into Mozambique for onward transmission to China.
On May 20, at around 5am, two trucks arrived at Forbes Border Post carrying the lithium ore. Shazha allegedly approached drivers Peter Duri and Philip Majada and handed them export documents and ZIMRA road manifests declaring the containers empty.
However, ZIMRA officers became suspicious after noticing that the containers were sealed and verified the load. The drivers allegedly admitted they were carrying lithium ore, leading to the seizure of the trucks. One driver was found in possession of a Mozambican Transit Declaration Form indicating that he was transporting lithium to Beira, contradicting the ZIMRA manifest.
Multi-Truck Smuggling Network Uncovered
Investigations revealed that the two intercepted trucks were part of a six-truck convoy ferrying lithium ore to Beira en route to China. Four trucks abandoned the exit queue and returned to Harare after realising that the operation had been compromised.
Two containers were later recovered at a car park near Glen View One Government Primary School in Harare on June 18. Another truck transferred its container to a different haulage vehicle in Msasa on May 28, with Shazha allegedly supplying the driver, Rodrick Macheke, with fraudulent export documents on June 4. Macheke used these documents to exit Zimbabwe on June 6. A fourth truck was intercepted in Goromonzi and seized at BAK storage.
ZACC investigations indicate that while the syndicate targeted approximately 204 tonnes of lithium ore for export, only about 34 tonnes are believed to have successfully left the country before the operation was disrupted. The seized lithium ore is valued at approximately US$100,000.
Context of Zimbabwe’s Lithium Export Ban
The smuggling attempt comes amid Zimbabwe’s tightened controls on unprocessed lithium exports. In December 2022, the government banned exports of unbeneficiated lithium ore, allowing exports only under a written ministerial permit. In February 2026, authorities suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, citing export malpractices and mineral leakages.
The government has since classified 14 minerals as “critical” and banned the export of all raw or unbeneficiated forms, with mandatory state shareholding through Special Purpose Vehicles now enshrined in law. Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura has stated: “The era of shipping raw rock for marginal returns is over.”
Shazha, represented by Mr Nyasha Mukonyora of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, was remanded in custody to August 12 pending a bail application. His co-accused, Manyumwa, previously appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Mutare and was granted US$1,000 bail. Li Dewen remains at large as investigations continue.
