Muswere’s Troubles Mount: From CAB3 Abscondment Probe to Alleged Gunpoint Raid

Embattled Minister of Skills Audit and Development Jenfan Muswere, already under investigation for absconding the CAB3 vote, is facing fresh calls for action after allegedly unleashing a group of armed bouncers to seize a mining operation at Premier Central Plot 44 in Penhalonga, Mutasa South, leaving four workers seriously injured and hospitalised.

The CAB3 abscondment probe has shadowed Muswere for weeks, and the Penhalonga violence now compounds the minister’s mounting troubles, with critics arguing that a politician already under investigation for defying a parliamentary vote should not be roaming the countryside with armed men.

A police case has been opened against the minister following the violent skirmishes that rocked the mining settlement. The plot is reportedly owned by one Evans Kamombo.

According to police sources, Muswere, accompanied by up to 10 bouncers, arrived at the scene in a brown Land Cruiser inscribed with personalised registration plates reading “MUSWERE.” The gang allegedly invaded the premises and immediately began manhandling and beating up workers, claiming they were taking over the mining operations.

The situation escalated when Muswere allegedly produced a black pistol and threatened to shoot Shingiso Felix Sahumani and Tawanda Mukupe, pointing the firearm directly at them.

During the scuffle, Muswere allegedly claimed that he was senior to the police commissioner and that nothing would happen to him, according to sources at the scene. The claim was allegedly made as workers and witnesses sought to intervene and as the confrontation intensified.

The violent confrontation left four individuals—Shingiso Felix Sahumani, Tawanda Mukupe, Shepherd Thompson, and Simon Zirinzo—with serious injuries. They were subsequently rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

A police report has been filed under RRB 6794744. However, efforts to obtain a comment from Minister Muswere were fruitless as he was not reachable on his mobile phone at the time of going to print.

Authorities have not yet released further details regarding arrests, but investigations into the matter are reportedly ongoing.

The Penhalonga incident comes as Muswere remains one of the ministers under investigation for absconding the CAB3 vote — a probe that has already raised questions about his accountability and respect for legislative processes. His political career now hangs in the balance on two fronts — a violent armed confrontation in Manicaland and a legislative defiance probe in Harare — as the police investigation continues.