The recent arrest of NetOne Cellular (Pvt) Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raphael Mushanawani, by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has sent shockwaves through the country’s telecommunications sector. While ZACC alleges fraud linked to inflated contract figures, sources within the parastatal suggest the arrest may be connected to internal boardroom conflicts and succession politics.
Mr. Mushanawani is expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
According to ZACC, Mr. Mushanawani unlawfully authorized contracts worth US$1.2 million for system upgrades that were reportedly slated for replacement. However, internal company records reviewed by this publication present a different picture.
Documentation indicates that only US$272,000 was disbursed, following established procurement policies and with proper approvals in place. Company insiders describe the upgrades to the SAGE 1000 system as routine operational expenditures, far from the fraudulent excesses alleged.
The purported overstatement of contract values has raised questions about whether ZACC may have been provided with misrepresented evidence intended to implicate the CEO.
Meanwhile, an internal NetOne probe is scrutinizing other senior officials, including Mr. Learnmore Musunda, head of the commercial department, who is reportedly positioning himself to succeed the CEO.
Allegations against Mr. Musunda include:
Irregularities in the disposal of company vehicles.
Authorizing stock adjustments worth nearly US$10 million annually.
Multiple reports of sexual harassment from employees.
Allegedly bringing a firearm onto company premises to intimidate staff.
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At the same time, Mr. Chidzodzo, head of procurement, is facing court over the disappearance of 17 Samsung Z Fold devices. He has also been linked to the questionable vehicle disposal incidents involving Mr. Musunda.
Sources close to the board suggest that the scandal may be deeply intertwined with board-level conflicts. Engineer Mawurukira, chairman of the NetOne board, recently halted questionable discount waivers and financial practices estimated at over US$20 million annually within Mr. Musunda’s division.
The timing of Mr. Mushanawani’s arrest has fueled speculation that the charges could be part of a retaliatory campaign aimed at undermining the board’s oversight while shielding other executives under investigation.
As legal proceedings against Mr. Mushanawani continue, internal investigations into Mr. Musunda and other executives are ongoing. Analysts warn that unless these matters are handled transparently, NetOne risks destabilization at a time when it has been commended by the government for its role in nation-building.
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