Minister Muswere accused of weaponising police in Penhalonga gunpoint raid fallout

Embattled Minister of Skills Audit and Development Jenfan Muswere is facing fresh allegations of abusing his political influence to intimidate victims of a violent mining dispute in Penhalonga, with claims that he has dispatched a District Executive Senior Police Officer (DESPO) to arrest the very people who reported him to the police.

The latest developments have raised further questions about the minister’s conduct following allegations that he led an armed group of up to 10 bouncers in an attack on workers at Premier Central Plot 44 in Penhalonga, Mutasa South, leaving four people seriously injured and hospitalised.

Muswere is now accused of attempting to turn the law enforcement system against his alleged victims after a police report was filed against him under RRB 6794744.

According to information obtained by this publication, the minister has reportedly sent a DESPO to pursue the complainants, in what has been described as an attempt to intimidate them and frustrate the investigation into the alleged armed raid.

The minister is also alleged to have been invoking his political connections, claiming to be close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while allegedly using his position in Government to exert pressure on those seeking police intervention.

If established, the allegations would raise serious questions about the potential abuse of ministerial authority and the independence of police investigations, particularly where a serving Cabinet minister is himself the subject of a criminal complaint.

The latest accusations come against the background of an increasingly disturbing account of events at the Penhalonga mining site.

Police sources previously indicated that Muswere arrived at the premises in a brown Land Cruiser bearing personalised registration plates reading “MUSWERE”, accompanied by a group of bouncers.

The group allegedly invaded the mining operation, claiming they were taking over the premises before workers were allegedly assaulted.

During the confrontation, Muswere allegedly produced a black pistol and threatened to shoot Shingiso Felix Sahumani and Tawanda Mukupe, pointing the firearm at them.

He was also alleged to have declared that he was senior to the police commissioner and that nothing would happen to him.

Four workers — Sahumani, Mukupe, Shepherd Thompson and Simon Zirinzo — reportedly sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital.

The latest allegations of police intimidation have added another dimension to the controversy, with concerns that the complainants could face arrest or further harassment instead of receiving protection as victims of an alleged violent incident.

Muswere has not publicly responded to the allegations. Efforts to obtain his comment were previously unsuccessful.

The minister is already under scrutiny over allegations of absconding the CAB3 parliamentary vote, placing him under pressure on both the legislative accountability and law enforcement fronts.

The unfolding Penhalonga controversy now presents a serious test for the police, particularly whether officers will investigate the original complaint impartially and protect witnesses and complainants from possible intimidation.

Authorities are yet to publicly clarify whether the reported attempt to arrest the complainants has been authorised or whether any formal charges have been preferred against them. *_-ZimEye_*