Allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption have surfaced at NetOne, one of Zimbabwe’s largest telecommunications companies. The claims implicate senior executives, including Group CEO Raphael Mushanawani and Chief Technical Officer Christopher Muchechemera, in a series of questionable financial decisions that may have cost the company millions.
The controversy centers on the procurement of key telecommunications equipment and services. In 2024 NetOne began exploring the purchase of new microwave transmission equipment, and the CTO invited a local firm, Teleios, to conduct trials. Teleios funded a trip to Romania for senior staff to examine the technology, and the trip was approved by the Group CEO. However, the purpose and outcomes of the visit were not discussed with the Executive Committee, raising concerns among employees. A procurement requisition for the equipment was later raised, bypassing senior procurement officials, and resulted in a $15 million deal despite other vendors offering the same equipment for $8 million to $9 million. The contract was not part of NetOne’s annual procurement plan or budget, and the sudden change in direction has prompted further questions.
Additional allegations involve the upgrade of NetOne’s ZTE VAS platforms, with Teleios again selected as the preferred vendor at a cost of $11.7 million. The Head of Supply Chain questioned the necessity of the upgrade, noting the system’s end‑of‑life status and the availability of more competitive solutions. Nevertheless, the project proceeded, fueling suspicions about the procurement process.
Concerns have also been raised about consultancy services during the implementation of the SAP ERP system. The Group CEO reportedly pushed for additional consultancy services costing $79,467.49, even though NetOne had already paid for the required services under its contract with Farevic. Moreover, the CEO allegedly bypassed the Executive Committee to engage Lunartech Solutions for the upgrade of NetOne’s SAGE ERP system, resulting in costly addenda exceeding $1.2 million.
These allegations have created a toxic working environment at NetOne, with staff reporting intimidation and retaliation for questioning the deals. Regulators and industry observers have called for an independent investigation, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability given the large sums of money involved. Pressure is mounting for decisive action, though the outcome remains uncertain.
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