HARARE, Aug. 4 (NewsDay Live) – State-owned mobile network operator NetOne Cellular has terminated chief executive Raphael Mushanawani’s contract, ending a turbulent five-year tenure marked by corruption allegations, boardroom infighting and forced leave.
The decision followed a board resolution last week and comes weeks after Mushanawani was placed on leave, with chief technical officer Chris Muchechemera appointed acting chief executive.
Mushanawani was appointed CEO in 2021 during the tenure of former Information Communication Technology minister Jenfan Muswere, who later appointed him to the board of Zimbabwe Newspapers (Zimpapers) in 2023.
His tenure came under intense scrutiny in September 2025 when the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission arrested him over allegations surrounding a US$1.2 million upgrade of NetOne’s SAGE 1000 accounting system. Prosecutors alleged the contract was awarded to Lunartech Solutions without board approval while a separate US$3.5 million enterprise resource planning (ERP) contract was already being implemented by Farevic Systems.
He was granted US$500 bail and ordered to surrender his passport.
In November 2025, Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa removed Mushanawani from remand after ruling there was insufficient evidence linking him to the alleged fraud.
Keep Reading
- Re-imagining the workplace: Google and other company visions
- New arts festival set for Nyanga
- Re-imagining the workplace: Google and other company visions
- Covid-19 centre turned into a maternity ward
His reprieve proved short-lived. In July 2026, NetOne placed him on forced leave, with Muchechemera assuming the role of acting chief executive amid reports of internal power struggles and tensions over Mushanawani’s perceived political loyalties. At the time, NetOne maintained he was on approved annual leave until August 13.
Sources later said the board had resolved not to renew his contract, citing alleged maladministration. The claims included shielding the head of supply chain from disciplinary action despite a two-year-old board resolution calling for investigations into alleged dereliction of duty, as well as failing to implement a board-approved payment plan with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
His departure comes as NetOne seeks to meet its projected US$278 million revenue target for 2026. Muchechemera remains acting chief executive pending the appointment of a substantive CEO.