Harare, Zimbabwe – Learnmore Masunda, the Chief Commercial Officer of state-owned telecommunications giant NetOne Cellular, has been formally suspended without benefits as a result of a comprehensive independent investigation.
The charge sheet, now obtained by The Zimbabwe Times, reveals a detailed list of serious allegations spanning eight distinct categories, pointing to profound breaches of corporate conduct and potentially criminal activity.
Masunda’s suspension, enacted on March 9, followed an initial forced leave period that began on February 2. The decision was precipitated by findings from an independent investigation conducted by DT Guard Security, which reportedly established sufficient evidence to support ten charges against the high-ranking official.
These allegations collectively highlight significant misconduct, profound conflicts of interest, and severe violations of corporate governance rules, potentially constituting acts of corruption.
The detailed charges against Masunda include:
Further details emerging from the investigation suggest that Masunda is also accused of political name-dropping, a practice that could undermine the integrity and impartiality expected of a senior executive in a state-owned enterprise.
The internal probe involved a meticulous review of NetOne’s IT and security controls, indicating a thorough examination of operational vulnerabilities.
This development at NetOne is not an isolated incident within the parastatal’s leadership. It follows closely on the heels of previous legal challenges involving the company’s top brass, most notably the arrest of NetOne CEO Raphael Mushanawani in October 2025 on fraud allegations. Such recurring issues raise critical questions about corporate governance and accountability within key state institutions.
As of last week, reports indicate that Masunda has been actively attempting to secure meetings with high-level government officials, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, presumably to address his case.
The outcome of these alleged attempts and the subsequent legal proceedings are keenly awaited, as they will undoubtedly have significant implications for NetOne and the broader landscape of corporate governance in Zimbabwe.
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