Ndamu Sandu
NetOne has suspended its chief executive Lazarus Muchenje with immediate effect for taking drastic action against senior management without proper consultation with the board and challenging its authority.
In a letter to Muchenje, board chairman Peter Chingoka said the suspension is in terms of the Labour (National Employment Code of Conduct) Regulations, SI 15 of 2006 and the suspension is without full pay and benefits.
Charges against Muchenje are that he took drastic action relating to senior management without proper consultation with the board and that he resisted and challenged the board’s authority on how to handle the issue relating to senior management. Muchenje is accused of allegedly undermined the authority of the board by escalating issues that are properly before the board to the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity.
“The board shall immediately investigate the above allegations after which you shall be informed of the results of the investigations,” Chingoka said adding that Muchenje is not allowed to visit the company’s premises and to conduct any company business without the authority of the board.
“You are directed to hand over all company assets in your possession to Mr. Toro immediately upon eing served this letter.”
Two weeks ago, Muchenje fired nine executives that include chief operating officer Brian Mutandiro and chief finance officer Sibusisiwe Ndhlovu. The board ordered the reinstatement of the executives as it had not been consulted.
Muchenje is now suing NetOne, its six board members, the nine fired executives, the minister of Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity and the chief secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet.
Nkosinathi Ncube managing director for mobile financial services has been appointed acting CEO.
