By Technology Times Reporter
Lagos. February 3, 2013: MTN Group did not use unfair means to secure its operating licence in Iran, a Special Committee formed by the South African mobile phone company has said.
Turkcell had last year sued MTN Group in US court over allegations that the South African company used unfair means to obtain its mobile phone licence in Iran.
In February 2012, the MTN Board commissioned Lord Hoffmann to lead a review of the allegations made by Turkcell in the legal case brought against the South African mobile phone operator in the US.
Cyril Ramphosa, Chairman, MTN Group, announced weekend that the company’s name has been cleared of the allegations brought against MTN Group by the report of the Independent Special Committee headed by Hoffman.
“Following a year-long investigation, Lord Hoffmann has presented the Committee’s findings today to the MTN Board. Lord Hoffmann’s Committee has determined that the Turkcell allegations are without foundation. Lord Hoffmann concluded that he found nothing in the conduct of MTN over this period that puts at question MTN’s integrity or propriety. This is a reassuring validation of MTN’s culture and ethical business practices”, the Chairman of MTN says.
Ramphosa adds that, “The Board is particularly pleased to note Lord Hoffmann’s categorical findings that the allegations against MTN’s former Group President and CEO Phuthuma Nhleko and MTN‘s former Commercial Director Irene Charnley were baseless. Allegations of complicity against the Chairman and the Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa were similarly found to be without substance.”
MTN says it is putting the event behind it to forge ahead with its vision to “move forward as one of Africa’s great companies.”
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