By a Correspondent
NetOne has terminated the contract of Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani following a board resolution, bringing his tenure at the state-owned mobile telecommunications company to an end ahead of the expiry of his five-year contract in September.
The decision follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding Mushanawani’s future after he was placed on leave pending a final determination by the board.
Sources familiar with the developments told National Interest News that the board had resolved to end the employment relationship, effectively closing a chapter in which Mushanawani led the company through a period of expansion and transformation in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector.
His departure comes just weeks before the scheduled completion of his contract, which was due to expire in September.
Mushanawani had been serving as the telecommunications operator’s chief executive under a five-year contract and was responsible for overseeing the company’s strategic operations, network expansion initiatives and efforts to strengthen its position in the highly competitive mobile communications market.
Under Mushanawani’s leadership, NetOne made significant strides in strengthening Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure and expanding access to reliable connectivity.
His tenure was characterised by a strong focus on network modernisation, infrastructure expansion and the transformation of NetOne into a more customer-focused digital services provider.
One of the notable areas of focus under Mushanawani’s leadership was the continued expansion of NetOne’s network footprint, particularly in underserved rural communities.
The operator increased investment in LTE and 5G infrastructure, helping to extend digital connectivity to more Zimbabweans and narrow the country’s digital divide. By strengthening its rural network presence, NetOne was also enabling communities to access opportunities in education, healthcare, financial services, agriculture and e-commerce.
The company’s recent performance also pointed to a period of renewed growth. NetOne’s active subscriber base surpassed four million, while data traffic recorded strong growth, reflecting increasing customer uptake of digital services. The operator also continued to invest in network capacity and modernisation, positioning itself to play a bigger role in Zimbabwe’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Mushanawani’s contribution was recognised through several industry accolades, including his induction into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame and recognition at the Zimbabwe CEOs Network Awards.
While he credited the achievements to the wider NetOne team, the honours underscored growing recognition of his leadership and the company’s transformation agenda.
Mushanawani also positioned NetOne as an important enabler of national development, arguing that telecommunications infrastructure should go beyond providing voice and data services to supporting productivity and economic growth.
The NetOne board’s decision now paves the way for the appointment of either an acting chief executive or a substantive replacement as the company seeks to maintain operational continuity.
However, some industry players believe Mushanawani’s removal at this stage could be a strategic misstep for NetOne, arguing that it risks disrupting the momentum at the state-owned network operator.
They say leadership continuity is critical in the telecommunications sector, where major infrastructure projects require long-term planning, sustained investment and consistent execution.
“Abruptly changing leadership risks slowing down ongoing programmes, unsettling strategic partnerships and weakening investor and employee confidence at a time when NetOne needs to remain focused on competing in a rapidly evolving digital economy,” said one industry player.
“Rather than repeatedly changing leadership, NetOne would benefit from stability, accountability and allowing proven programmes to mature. If there are concerns about performance or governance, these should be addressed through transparent oversight and measurable targets.”
Another source said Mushanawani’s continued leadership was key to providing the stability needed to consolidate recent gains, complete ongoing investments and build a stronger, more competitive NetOne.
