Zimbabwean human rights activist Farai Maguwu has shared images showing thousands of large bags of lithium and other minerals destined for shipment to China from Kamativi in Matabeleland North Province.
He questioned whether Zimbabwe is, in reality, acting as the biggest donor to China, rather than the other way around.
Maguwu, Executive Director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, said the country needs patriotic and visionary leaders who will prevent the exploitation of Zimbabwe’s natural resources by foreign interests operating under the guise of investment. Maguwu wrote on X:
“Good people, Kana mazogara, Zim is the biggest donor to China, and not the other way round.
“Lithium and other undeclared minerals are ready for China from Kamativi. This country does not just need new leaders, it needs Patriotic & Visionary leaders who can stop this shame.
“How can such a country fail to construct basic roads, give treated water to its citizens and finance its own development?
“This is just Kamativi – we have Prospect, Sabi Star, Sinomine, Gwanda, Sandawana – I’m just talking of lithium here. All donated to CHINA.”
Earlier this year, Zimbabwe announced plans to ban the export of lithium concentrates, effective in 2027. The move aims to encourage local refining and boost revenues from the sale of refined lithium products.
Speaking at a media briefing on 10 June, then Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said that from 2027, the government would only allow the export of lithium sulphides.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently urged Zimbabwean businesspeople to refrain from making comments about Chinese-owned companies that could be seen as xenophobic. He said:
“Coming to… the Chinese, I am always concerned when we single out a nationality.
“From now on, never refer to Chinese again. That is my strong advice to you. Why? Because that is how xenophobia starts.
“We Zimbabweans have been subject to xenophobia. These (the Chinese) are individuals that we have welcomed into our country. They are doing business.
“And by the way, they are going to areas where we, as Zimbabweans, are surprised by.
“They teach us a few tricks because they have a high appetite for business. Is that not the case?
“They are going to areas where Zimbabweans do not even know. So, I think we should be more accommodating of these foreign citizens.
“It is one thing to complain about a reserved sector. Say if they are in a reserved sector, clearly, they are not in the right sector.
“But they are free to operate, as long as they are here legally… So next time you meet them, be more respectful.”
