Current Affairs
Telecom Giant NetOne Faces Internal Rift as CEO Arrested
Harare – 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 inside the parastatal claim the arrest may be tied to internal boardroom battles and succession politics.
Mr. Mushanawani is expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
Disputed Financial Records
According to ZACC, Mr. Mushanawani unlawfully authorized contracts worth US$1.2 million for system upgrades that were reportedly earmarked for replacement. However, internal company records reviewed by this publication tell a different story.
Documentation shows that only US$272,000 was disbursed, following established procurement policies and with proper approval processes observed. Company insiders describe the upgrades to the SAGE 1000 system as routine operational expenditures, far from the fraudulent excesses suggested.
The alleged overstatement of contract values is now raising questions about whether ZACC was furnished with misrepresented evidence, potentially designed to implicate the CEO.
Spotlight on Other Executives
At the same time, an internal NetOne probe is scrutinizing other senior officials. Among them is Mr. Learnmore Musunda, head of the commercial department, who is reportedly positioning himself to take over the CEO role.
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.
- Meanwhile, Mr. Chidzodzo, the head of procurement, is already facing the courts over the disappearance of 17
- Samsung Z Fold devices. He, too, has been linked with the questionable vehicle disposal saga involving Mr. Musunda.
Boardroom Conflict at the Core
Sources close to the board suggest the scandal may be deeply intertwined with board-level conflicts. Engineer Mawurukira, who chairs the NetOne board, recently halted questionable discount waivers and financial practices estimated at over US$20 million annually from Mr. Musunda’s division.
The timing of Mr. Mushanawani’s arrest has therefore fueled speculation that the charges could be part of a retaliatory campaign aimed at weakening the board’s oversight while shielding other executives under scrutiny.
What Lies Ahead
While the legal process against Mr. Mushanawani unfolds in court, the 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 lauded by government for its role in nation-building.
Current Affairs
Hon. Garwe Rallies Murehwa North: Unity, Agriculture and Presidential Gifts
15 000 party members to get mealie meal
Itai Mazire
Amid a vibrant atmosphere of community spirit, Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman and Member of Parliament for Murehwa North, Honourable Daniel Garwe, conducted an extensive interactive tour across the constituency this week.
Addressing large gatherings of enthusiastic party supporters, Hon. Garwe delivered a clear message: the time for political tensions has passed, and the season for national productivity has arrived.
The tour, which spanned several wards, focused on reinforcing the developmental goals of Vision 2030 and ensuring food security at household level. Hon. Garwe said the nation must remain insulated from divisive politics and instead consolidate its efforts under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Rather than focusing on the ballot box, the legislator urged his constituents to turn their attention to the fields. He said that the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy remains agriculture and that the government is committed to supporting every farmer.
“The country is currently not in election mode. We must remain a united force against those trying to hinder the success of Vision 2030. Our primary focus right now must be on the land; we need to focus on agriculture to ensure our nation thrives,” he said.
To support this drive, he announced that the Presidential Inputs Scheme is moving into its next phase. He assured farmers that the critical top-dressing fertilisers required for the current cropping season would be arriving imminently.
“I want to assure every farmer in Murehwa North that the government hears you. Top-dressing fertilisers will be distributed starting next week across the entire constituency under the Presidential Inputs Scheme to ensure we maximise our yields,” said Hon. Garwe.
The tour took an emotional turn in Ward 8 and Ward 16 of the Tongogara District, where Hon. Garwe oversaw the distribution of mealie meal to 1 500 party members.
The exercise will see Hon. Garwe touring 10 party districts, with a total of 15 000 party members set to receive mealie meal.
The gesture was aimed at cushioning vulnerable households and ensuring that the spirit of the New Year reached every kitchen in the district.

Hon. Garwe was quick to point out that the aid was a direct token of appreciation and care from the Head of State.
“No one and no place will be left behind. This mealie meal we are distributing today to these 1 500 families is a New Year gift from President Mnangagwa to the people of this constituency as a sign of his continued love and support. We have toured three districts today,” he said.
Throughout the interactive sessions, Hon. Garwe called for vigilance and loyalty to the national vision. He encouraged the crowds of supporters to ignore external pressures and focus on the tangible development occurring within their own communities.
“We must stand together and protect the progress we have made. Let us not be swayed by those who wish to see us fail, but rather stay committed to the path of development and the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” he said.

The tour concluded with local leaders praising Hon. Garwe’s hands-on approach, noting that the combination of immediate food relief and the upcoming fertiliser distribution would provide much-needed stability for the constituency in the coming months.
Current Affairs
Government Cracks Down on Luxury Vehicles, Foreign Trips by Officials
The Government of Zimbabwe has announced strict new measures to curb spending by public officials, including an immediate clampdown on the purchase of luxury vehicles and non-essential foreign travel. The funds saved from these cuts will be redirected towards key sectors such as healthcare and education.
The move forms part of wider cost-cutting reforms being implemented under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), aimed at improving financial discipline across government. Authorities say the measures are necessary to reduce pressure on the national budget and prioritise spending that delivers direct benefits to citizens.
Under the new policy framework, the acquisition of high-end vehicles for official use will be tightly controlled, while foreign trips by public servants will be subject to stricter approval processes to ensure they are justified and essential.
According to a government statement, the initiative falls under NDS2’s “Expenditure Rationalisation” pillar, which seeks to eliminate unnecessary and inefficient spending. Officials acknowledged that excessive vehicle procurement and frequent overseas travel have become costly practices that are no longer sustainable.
The government said that over the next five years it will enforce firm controls on non-essential expenditure, with savings channelled towards critical areas such as public health, education, infrastructure development, and social protection programmes.
Authorities emphasised that the reforms reflect a commitment to responsible financial management, ensuring public resources are used efficiently and in ways that support national development priorities and improve the lives of Zimbabweans.
Current Affairs
War on Drugs Intensifies in Murehwa North
-
Hon. Daniel Garwe launches whirlwind constituency tour in Murehwa North
-
War declared on drug peddlers and child marriages as sting operations begin
-
500 vulnerable households receive food aid during minister’s outreach program
Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman and Member of Parliament for Murehwa North, Honorable Daniel Garwe, has kicked off a high-octane whirlwind tour of his constituency, vowing to flush out drug dealers and protect the girl child from the scourge of early marriages.

The tour, which is set to cover 10 wards over the coming days, saw the legislator and Cabinet Minister for Local Government descend on Tongogara District today.
The visit was marked by a massive social-welfare intervention, where 500 vulnerable beneficiaries — including the elderly, widows, widowers, child-headed families, people living with disabilities, and village heads — received essential mealie-meal supplies to cushion them against food insecurity.
Addressing a capacity crowd, Hon. Garwe delivered a stern warning to those fueling social decay in the province, saying the era of impunity for those exploiting minors is over.
“The law will not blink when it comes to the protection of our children. I am warning every individual involved in the archaic and criminal practice of child marriages that your days of freedom are numbered. We will ensure you are brought to book without fear or favor,” said Hon. Garwe.
Turning his sights to the drug menace currently rocking Mashonaland East, the Provincial Chairman revealed that a security sting operation is already in motion.
He urged those struggling with addiction to seek help, while promising a tough stance against those selling drugs.
“To the drug and substance peddlers who are destroying the future of our youth, know this: a massive sting operation is already underway across the province, and we are coming for you because your predatory days are officially over.”
On the political front, Hon. Garwe called for “unity of purpose,” urging the community to move past petty divisions and focus on national development under the Second Republic.
He said that the developmental trajectory set by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is a non-negotiable path toward prosperity.
“We must remain united as a people because development has no political color. Let us rally behind the visionary leadership of the Father of our Nation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is working tirelessly to transform our livelihoods,” said Hon. Garwe.
“Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the journey toward Vision 2030 is unstoppable. Here in Murehwa North, we are the foot soldiers who will ensure that no place and no one is left behind in this great industrialization drive,” he added.
Hon. Garwe said that the government remains committed to the welfare of beneficiaries, stressing that the distribution of food is a right — not a privilege — for the marginalized.
“Our presence here today with these supplies is a clear demonstration that the Second Republic cares for its most vulnerable — the widows, the elderly, and persons with disabilities — and we will continue to provide this safety net as we march toward an upper-middle-income society,” said Hon. Garwe.
-
Current Affairs2 months agoOperation restore order
-
Crime and Courts3 months agoMasasi High School Abuse Scandal Sparks Public Outcry
-
Crime and Courts4 months agoKuwadzana Man Jailed for Reckless Driving and Driving Without a Licence
-
Current Affairs5 months agoBreaking: ZIMSEC June 2025 Exam Results Now Available Online
-
Current Affairs4 months agoMunhumutapa Day: Zimbabwe’s Newest Public Holiday Set for Annual Observance
-
Current Affairs3 months agoBREAKING NEWS: ZANU PF Director General Ezekiel Zabanyana Fired
-
Current Affairs5 months agoNo Racism in Our Cricket: Government
-
Current Affairs4 months agoGovernment Bans Tinted Car Windows in Nationwide Crime Crackdown
