NetOne CEO sent on forced leave

NetOne chief executive officer Raphael Mushanawani has been placed on forced leave, months after he was cleared of fraud allegations relating to procurement contracts and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system upgrade valued at more than US$1.2 million.

Chief Technical Officer Chris Muchechemera, formerly the digital innovation director at TelOne, has been appointed acting chief executive while Mushanawani is away from office.

Although no official reason has been publicly given for the decision, sources familiar with developments at the state-owned mobile network operator said the move follows internal concerns over commercial transactions and leadership dynamics within the organisation.

Mushanawani was previously investigated over allegations involving unapproved procurement contracts and the upgrade of the SAGE 1000 ERP system. He was subsequently cleared of the fraud charges.

However, sources claim the latest developments are linked to disagreements over governance issues, commercial decisions and internal power dynamics.

According to the sources, Mushanawani is perceived to maintain close ties with former Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Jenfan Muswere, who reportedly played a key role in his appointment as NetOne chief executive in 2021.

Muswere, who served as ICT minister between 2019 and 2023, later appointed Mushanawani to the Zimpapers board after moving to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services in 2023. Muswere was reassigned to the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development in February 2026.

Sources further allege that Mushanawani's relationship with his former political patron has created friction with the current Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera.

The sources also claim that concerns over certain commercial transactions at the telecommunications company have contributed to the decision to place the chief executive on leave.

Neither NetOne nor the Ministry of ICT had issued an official statement on Mushanawani's leave at the time of publication.

NetOne has, over the years, faced recurring allegations of governance failures, procurement irregularities and corruption, prompting repeated calls for stronger oversight at the state-owned telecommunications operator.

Efforts to obtain comment from NetOne management and the Ministry of ICT were unsuccessful by the time of publication.