By Staff Reporter
HARARE— The corruption case against NetOne Cellular (Pvt) Ltd Chief Executive Officer Raphael Mushanawani has taken a dramatic twist after revelations that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) misplaced keys to an office where the CEO’s docket is kept.
The blunder has stalled the investigation, with insiders claiming ZACC is struggling to build a solid case.
Mushanawani, arrested last week on allegations of inflating contract figures, is due to appear before the Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
ZACC accuses him of unlawfully approving contracts worth US$1.2 million, but internal records show only US$272,000 was disbursed — in line with procurement rules — for routine upgrades of the SAGE 1000 system.
A source familiar with the probe said the missing keys have effectively paralyzed the case.
“Without them, ZACC cannot proceed. It raises suspicion, because from what we have seen, they don’t seem to have anything solid against the CEO,” the source said.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising within NetOne’s top ranks. Insiders allege commercial department head Learnmore Musunda is positioning himself to replace Mushanawani.
Musunda faces serious accusations of irregular vehicle disposals, unexplained stock adjustments of nearly US$10 million a year, sexual harassment complaints, and even brandishing a firearm to intimidate staff.
Head of procurement Chidzodzo is already before the courts over 17 missing Samsung Z Fold devices and has been linked to the controversial vehicle disposal scheme tied to Musunda.
Industry observers say the turmoil exposes deep fractures within NetOne’s leadership.
Board chair Engineer Mawurukira is said to be clamping down on Musunda’s questionable practices, including discounts and waivers worth more than US$20 million annually.
The timing of Mushanawani’s arrest, coupled with the disappearance of his case file, has fueled speculation that the investigation is less about corruption and more about an internal succession battle.
With the docket missing and proceedings in limbo, Mushanawani’s future hangs in the balance.
The scandal has not only cast doubt on ZACC’s credibility but also exposed how infighting and weak oversight threaten one of Zimbabwe’s biggest state-owned enterprises — raising wider concerns about governance in public institutions.
