Harare – In a dramatic turn of events at state-owned telecommunications giant NetOne, Chief Commercial Officer, Learnmore Masunda has publicly denied allegations that he orchestrated the recent arrest of Group CEO Raphael Mushanawani, characterizing the claims as a “choreographed smear campaign” by individuals within the organization.

The denial comes amid escalating internal turmoil at the company, with multiple executives facing serious allegations of corruption, misconduct, and financial mismanagement. The crisis has exposed deep fractures within NetOne’s leadership and raised questions about governance at one of Zimbabwe’s major telecommunications providers.

The controversy erupted when Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested NetOne CEO Raphael Mushanawani on allegations of fraud and criminal abuse of office involving $1.2 million . The charges specifically relate to contracts for upgrading the company’s SAGE 1000 system and associated consultancy services, which ZACC claims were approved without proper authorization from NetOne’s executive committee or board of directors .

However, the case took a surprising turn when company documentation revealed that only $272,000 had actually been disbursed for these system upgrades, far less than the initially reported figure, and allegedly following established procurement procedures . This discrepancy has led to speculation about the validity of the charges against Mushanawani.

Mushanawani’s legal team has vigorously contested the allegations, describing them as a fabricated “power grab” by rivals seeking to oust him from leadership . They maintain that all expenditures were properly approved by the board and necessary for maintaining the company’s operational systems .

Internal Power Struggle Emerges

As the scandal unfolded, attention turned to internal power dynamics within NetOne’s senior leadership. With Mushanawani’s CEO contract set for renewal in November, multiple sources identified Chief Commercial Officer Learnmore Masunda as a potential successor .

In an exclusive interview with TechnoMag, Masunda denied these suggestions, stating: “I have never harboured such ambitions and have no need to cause the arrest of my CEO. My main responsibilities as the Chief Commercial Officer are to support the Group CEO for the company to pay out dividends to the shareholder” .

Masunda revealed that he first learned of the allegations against him through press reports and expressed concern about “continued mudslinging” within the organization. He characterized the accusations as “sideshows from our detractors” designed to undermine his position .

Serious Allegations Against Multiple Executives

The scope of the scandal extends beyond Mushanawani, with several other executives facing serious allegations: Raphael Mushanawani Group CEO was arested for alleged $1.2M fraud; and he was granted $500 bail. Learnmore Masunda, the Chief Commercial Officer is facing internal probe but is denying the allegations levelled against him. Christopher Muchechemera, the Chief Technology Officer is also being implicated in procurement scandals. Mr Chidzodzo, the Head of Procurement is facing court over missing devices.

According to internal documents, Masunda faces multiple serious allegations including irregularities in company vehicle disposal, authorizing questionable stock adjustments worth nearly $10 million annually, multiple sexual harassment complaints from employees, and allegedly bringing a firearm to company premises to intimidate staff .

The procurement chief, Mr. Chidzodzo, is already before the courts over 17 missing Samsung Z Fold devices and has been implicated in the vehicle disposal scheme linked to Masunda .

Board-Level Clashes and Financial Concerns

Sources indicate that NetOne Board Chair Engineer Mawurukira has recently intervened to block questionable financial practices in Masunda’s division, including discount waivers estimated to cost the company over $20 million annually .

This move is seen as part of broader efforts to address financial mismanagement within the company. One board source suggested that Mushanawani’s arrest may be “retaliation against the board’s efforts to clean up the rot rather than genuine accountability” .

Corruption Probe Faces Challenges

ZACC’s investigation into NetOne has encountered unexpected obstacles, including a reported incident where keys to an office containing Mushanawani’s case docket went missing, temporarily stalling the proceedings . This development has raised questions about the handling of the case and whether the commission has sufficient evidence to support its allegations .

Meanwhile, additional corruption allegations have emerged involving other senior executives. The Chief Technology Officer, Christopher Muchechemera, stands accused of involvement in dubious procurement deals including $15 million for microwave transmission equipment and $11.7 million for upgrading NetOne’s ZTE VAS platforms . Internal sources revealed that other vendors had offered to supply similar equipment for as little as $8 million, raising questions about the selection process .

Current Status and Broader Implications

Mushanawani has returned to work after being granted bail and has called for unity within the organization . An urgent executive committee meeting is scheduled to address the growing crisis .

The unfolding scandal has exposed not only alleged corruption but also a toxic working environment within NetOne. Staff have reported intimidation and retaliation against those who question procurement decisions, with one senior manager describing a “culture of fear” that has left employees disillusioned .

As the various investigations continue, the future leadership of NetOne remains uncertain. The controversy has broader implications for corporate governance in Zimbabwe’s state-owned enterprises, particularly in the strategically important telecommunications sector.

The situation continues to develop, with all parties awaiting the next legal proceedings and the outcome of internal investigations.