NETONE SCANDAL SHOWS WHY ZIMBABWE NEEDS REAL CHANGE NOW
Once again, the people of Zimbabwe are reminded how deep corruption runs in our country. This time, it is inside NetOne, a state-owned company that was supposed to serve the people but has instead become a playground for the powerful. Three senior executives are now facing internal corruption allegations, even as their boss, Raphael Mushanawani, stands accused of stealing over US$1.2 million. While the country struggles with poverty, joblessness, and a collapsing economy, those in power continue to use state institutions as their personal feeding trough.
According to insiders, the NetOne corruption scandal is not only about money—it is about power. Mushanawani was arrested after a messy fight with chief commercial officer Learnmore Masunda, who reportedly wants to take over as CEO. Their battle has dragged in politicians and power brokers, even from State House. This is not new in Zimbabwe. Every time there is a scandal, the fingerprints of politicians appear somewhere in the background. The same circle of elites keeps protecting each other while the ordinary citizen pays the price.
Mushanawani was briefly arrested and released on bail after two days in detention, yet the NetOne board decided to support him fully. It is a slap in the face of justice. How can an institution claim to fight corruption when those accused are defended by their own boards and politicians? This is why Zimbabwe continues to rot. We have institutions filled with people who see public service as a chance to enrich themselves, not to serve the people.
The latest reports say that top executives, including marketing executive Catherine Gijima and head of procurement Bornface Chidzodzo, were involved in shady deals with a company called Brunok Investments. This unregistered supplier was hired to erect billboards across the country without going through a proper tender process. There was no official memo, no request for quotations, and no competition. It was all done through “gentleman’s agreements” and verbal instructions. This is not just unprofessional—it is criminal.
Imagine how many hospitals, schools, or clinics could be fixed with the money wasted through corruption. Instead, these executives and their political friends continue to steal, while ordinary workers go for months without salaries. The streets of Harare are full of vendors trying to survive, yet government officials are busy manipulating procurement rules for their personal benefit. This is the true face of ZANU PF’s rule—corruption, arrogance, and total disregard for accountability.
The sad part is that whistleblowers inside NetOne are risking their lives and jobs to expose the truth, but they are ignored. Those who try to do the right thing in Zimbabwe are often punished, while the thieves are rewarded. It is no surprise that people have lost trust in the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which seems to arrest the small fish and protect the sharks. Even in this case, ZACC’s actions look like part of a political game rather than a true fight against corruption.
NetOne has always been a mirror of the government that owns it—chaotic, greedy, and filled with infighting. Every few years, a new scandal emerges, and every time, nothing changes. This is because corruption is not a mistake in Zimbabwe; it is a system. A system designed to keep the powerful richer and the poor quieter.
Zimbabwe deserves better. Our people deserve leaders who care more about the country than about contracts and connections. We need institutions that serve the people, not political masters. Until that day comes, stories like this will continue to fill the news, and our nation will continue to bleed. It is time for real change—a change that restores honesty, rebuilds trust, and returns power to the people where it truly belongs.
