Harare, Zimbabwe | The suspension of NetOne Cellular’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Learnmore Masunda, without benefits this week is being framed by the company as a decisive move against misconduct.
However, for those following the state-owned mobile operator’s turbulent history, it is merely the latest chapter in a decade-long saga of “boardroom politics,” systemic corruption, and a revolving door of leadership that has crippled the parastatal.
Masunda’s suspension follows a probe by independent firm DT Guard Security, which reportedly uncovered evidence for ten charges, including conflict of interest, regulatory violations, and breaches of governance rules.
Yet, an investigation into NetOne’s past reveals that such “independent probes” and “misconduct charges” have frequently been used as weapons in high-stakes power struggles between executives, boards, and the Ministry of ICT.
A Pattern of “Governance by Suspension”
The “flaws” at NetOne are not isolated incidents but a recurring pattern. Since 2015, the company has seen a near-constant cycle of suspensions and reinstatements that suggest a deeper institutional rot.
|
Executive
|
Year
|
Allegation/Action
|
Outcome
|
|
Reward Kangai (CEO)
|
2016
|
Irregular procurement & US$11m loss.
|
Fired; arrested in 2018; claimed political victimization.
|
|
Lazarus Muchenje (CEO)
|
2018-2021
|
Sued the board for meddling.
|
Suspended, reinstated, and fired multiple times; court eventually cleared him.
|
|
Raphael Mushanawani (CEO)
|
2025
|
US$1.2m ERP system fraud.
|
Arrested by ZACC; case ongoing.
|
|
Learnmore Masunda (CCO)
|
2026
|
Misconduct & Conflict of Interest.
|
Suspended without pay; facing disciplinary proceedings.
|
The “Boardroom Politics” Defense
A recurring theme in NetOne’s governance failures is the blurring of lines between legitimate oversight and political interference. In 2018, then-CEO Lazarus Muchenje took the unprecedented step of suing his own board and the ICT Minister, alleging that “boardroom politics” were making it impossible to run the company.
Similarly, the current CEO, Raphael Mushanawani—who was named “Business Leader of the Year” just weeks before his arrest in late 2025—has seen his lawyers argue that his fraud charges are the result of internal sabotage rather than criminal intent.
The suspension of Masunda fits this historical template. While the charges against him are grave—including alleged death threats to a police officer and unauthorized dealings—critics point out that NetOne’s governance structure often allows for the selective application of rules to purge “unwanted” executives.
Industry analysts argue that NetOne’s flaws are rooted in three systemic issues:
- Political Patronage: The appointment of boards and CEOs is often influenced by the Ministry of ICT, leading to shifting loyalties whenever political winds change.
- Procurement Loopholes: From the Reward Kangai era to the recent Mushanawani ERP scandal, procurement has remained the primary site of alleged looting, with millions lost to “unauthorized upgrades” and “unnecessary training deals.”
- Lack of Accountability: Despite numerous arrests and forensic audits over the last ten years, there has not been a single high-profile conviction of a NetOne executive that has stood the test of time in the Supreme Court.
The real victim of these governance flaws is the company’s performance. While competitors like Econet Wireless have maintained stable leadership and aggressive infrastructure growth, NetOne has been bogged down in litigation.
The suspension of Learnmore Masunda, whether justified or not, ensures that NetOne remains a company defined not by its 5G rollout or customer service, but by its “leadership curse.” As Masunda prepares for disciplinary proceedings that could lead to criminal charges, the question remains: is this a genuine cleanup, or just another round of musical chairs in Zimbabwe’s most troubled parastatal?
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606 or Email: editor@thezimbabwetimes.co.zw.
