By Tichaona Katsvamutima
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Orequest (Pvt) Ltd co-director Ning Yaokun, also known as Tony, over allegations of smuggling lithium ore out of the country.
ZACC, announcing the arrest on its official X account, said Yaokun faces charges of attempted smuggling, unlawful dealing and contraventions of the Customs and Excise Act.
“ZACC has arrested Ning Yaokun, also known as Tony, co-director of Orequest (Pvt) Ltd, over the alleged smuggling of lithium ore out of Zimbabwe,” the commission said.
According to ZACC, investigations established that lithium ore was allegedly smuggled through Forbes Border Post, one of Zimbabwe’s major gateways into Mozambique.
Authorities have recovered 420 tonnes of lithium ore and seized equipment allegedly used in the illicit operation.
The case comes as Zimbabwe increasingly positions lithium as a critical component of its mining economy, driven by global demand for the mineral, which is used extensively in electric-vehicle batteries and energy-storage systems.
The Government has sought to retain more value from the resource by restricting exports of unbeneficiated lithium and pushing for domestic processing and value addition.
Yaokun was due to appear before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 11, 2026.
