Lithium smuggling syndicate busted
Police in Masvingo busted a mineral smuggling syndicate, arrested 17 suspects and recovered at least 3 700 tonnes of lithium ore looted from Bikita Minerals and other surrounding places.
The ore was ready for onward smuggling into Mozambique and South Africa.
A crack team led by ZRP Operations Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume nabbed the suspects following a tip-off from some residents in the area.
Officer Commanding Masvingo Commissioner David Mahoya accompanied by police details and journalists, toured three secret warehouses in the industrial area where several haulage trucks laden with the lithium ore are parked.
Speaking to journalists, Comm Mahoya noted with great concern the increase in cases of looting, smuggling and called security personnel to intensify the blitz into the scam.
Participants during the tour of the discovered contraband observed that the warehouses have cleaning and grinding machinery, as well as ancillary staff.
The heaps of looted ore at the secret warehouses have dates and grades marked with paint.
The warehouses are currently guarded by the army and Police details.
Underhand lithium deals are rife in Zimbabwe following restrictions in the trading and mining of the mineral. Opening the trade and mining of the minerals will minimise shady trade and movement of the battery mineral.
Herald and additional comments by Mining Zimbabwe