“Failed To Comport Himself”: NetOne Fires PR Boss Mahomva Just Three Months After He Landed Top Job

NetOne Dumps PR Chief Mahomva After Failed Probation Period

State-owned telecommunications giant NetOne has summarily dismissed its Head of Public Relations, Dr. Richard Runyararo Mahomva, just three months after he walked into the prestigious post on 1 January 2026. The embattled former spin doctor was reportedly marched out of the building by security officials after a disastrous probation period that insiders describe as a complete failure to adapt to the corporate world.

Escorted From The 16th Floor By Loss Control Officers

The humiliating exit unfolded on the morning of 17 March 2026, bringing a swift and brutal end to what was meant to be a new chapter in Mahomva’s career in public service and politics. According to TechnoMag, the former government official was not given the dignity of a quiet departure. Sources close to the organisation describe a scene of utter disgrace as Mahomva was stripped of the trappings of his office.

A board member, speaking on condition of strict anonymity, confirmed the dramatic sequence of events to the publication. The insider revealed the cold mechanics of his downfall, stating,

“He was escorted from his desk in the morning and asked to submit company laptop, car and other accessories, before being escorted from the 16th floor by loss control officers.”

“He Failed To Comport Self In A Manner Befitting An Executive”

While NetOne’s official spokesperson has sought to downplay the dismissal as a routine administrative matter, the explosive details emerging from inside the boardroom paint a devastating picture of incompetence and confrontation. The same board member who witnessed his downfall did not mince words when describing Mahomva’s catastrophic three-month stint.

The insider delivered a damning verdict on his performance, telling TechnoMag,

“He failed to comport self in a manner befitting an executive, demonstrating serious lapses in corporate governance and, through a confrontational approach, undermined relationships with key stakeholders during his brief tenure.”

The board member further attributed his failure to a fundamental lack of preparedness for the corporate environment, citing “limited corporate experience and an inability to integrate into the organisation” as the key reasons behind the termination.

Political Connections Fail To Save Mahomva

Mahomva’s rapid rise and even faster fall has raised eyebrows across the capital. Before his ill-fated move to NetOne, he was a well-known fixture in political circles, having served as Personal Assistant to former Sports Minister Makhosini Hlongwane. He later worked as a Personal Assistant to Zanu-PF Secretary-General Obert Mpofu and was appointed as a party director.

His most recent public office was Director for International Communications Services in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

Mahomva’s appointment at NetOne was announced on 17 December 2025, with his new role beginning on 1 January 2026.

However, sources suggest that his extensive political connections proved useless when he needed them most. According to TechnoMag, Mahomva has been “reportedly jumping from one political office to the other but it seems none of those offices yielded as his alleged big political connections left him in the cold, with none budging, but he is still knocking doors.”

The publication notes that working at NetOne was “his first attempt at a real job outside a political association, which he dismally failed in his 3-month attempt.”

Confirming the development to NewZimbabwe.com, NetOne Public Relations Officer Thamsanqa Luphahla sought to frame the dismissal within standard human resources procedure. Luphahla stated,

“It is standard procedure that when someone is given a contract of employment, they are subjected to a three-month probation. After that, an assessment is done to decide whether you continue with the company or not. In the case of Mr Mahomva, he will no longer be part of the organisation.”

He added, “There are no criminal or corruption activities that we know of, but he is leaving the organisation based on the standard procedure of him being subjected to a three-month probation that proved he will not be continuing with NetOne.”