NETONE SCANDAL SHOWS HOW CORRUPTION CONTINUES TO DESTROY ZIMBABWE

Once again, the people of Zimbabwe are watching another sad story that shows how deep corruption is in our country. This time it is at NetOne, a state company that should help the people but has become a place for the powerful to take money for themselves. Three senior executives are now facing serious corruption claims, while their boss, Raphael Mushanawani, is also accused of stealing more than US$1.2 million. At the same time, many people in Zimbabwe cannot find jobs, cannot feed their families, and are living in a broken economy. But those in power still use state companies as their own source of money.

People close to NetOne say this scandal is not only about money. It is also about power. Mushanawani was arrested after fighting with the chief commercial officer, Learnmore Masunda, who wants to take over as CEO. Their fight has now pulled in politicians and powerful people, even those linked to State House. This is not new for Zimbabwe. Whenever there is a big scandal, you always find politicians hiding behind it, protecting their friends and making sure nothing changes. While the elites fight for positions and money, ordinary Zimbabweans suffer every day.

Mushanawani was arrested and stayed in detention for two days, but he was later released on bail. What shocked many people is that the NetOne board chose to support him. It feels like an insult to justice. How can a board defend someone who faces such serious accusations? This is why corruption keeps growing. Many leaders see public offices as a chance to get rich, not to serve the country. Zimbabwe continues to fall apart because people in these offices protect each other instead of protecting the nation.

New reports show that top executives like marketing executive Catherine Gijima and procurement boss Bornface Chidzodzo also took part in corrupt deals with a company called Brunok Investments. This company was not registered, but it was still allowed to put billboards across the country. There was no tender, no quotations, nothing official. Everything was done through verbal instructions and secret deals. This is not just bad work. It is clear corruption.

When you think about how much money is wasted this way, it hurts. That money could have fixed many schools, clinics, or hospitals. It could have helped civil servants who go for months without proper salaries. But instead, it ends up in the pockets of a few people who already have power. On the streets of Harare, you see vendors struggling to survive, yet senior officials are busy breaking rules so they can make more money. This is what ZANU PF has created in Zimbabwe—a system of corruption, greed, and no respect for the people.

The saddest part is that some workers inside NetOne risk their jobs and even their lives by telling the truth. But no one listens to them. When honest people speak out, they get punished. When corrupt people steal, they get promoted or protected. This is why many Zimbabweans no longer trust ZACC. It always looks like ZACC arrests the small people and protects the big ones. Even now, the way they are handling this case makes people think this is just another political game.

NetOne is simply showing us what our government looks like—disorder, greed, and people fighting for power. Every few years there is a new scandal, but nothing ever changes. In Zimbabwe, corruption is not a mistake. It is the whole system. A system made to keep the powerful comfortable while the poor suffer.

Zimbabwe deserves better. Our people deserve leaders who care about the country. We need real change that brings honesty, trust, and power back to the people. Until that day comes, scandals like this will never stop, and our nation will continue to bleed.