JSE-listed MTN, Africa's largest cellular network, says an independent committee set up to probe allegations of misconduct will report back to the board later this year.
In March, Turkcell filed a $4.2 billion lawsuit against MTN in a US federal court. The operator alleges bribery and corruption on the part of Africa's largest mobile player in its acquisition of a GSM licence in Iran in 2004.
The papers suggest MTN may have undertaken to facilitate the installation of “eavesdropping technology” on its devices in Iran, which the Democratic Alliance has said would be tantamount to human rights violations. MTN holds a 49% stake in Iran's second cellphone operator, Irancell.
Yesterday, CEO and president Sifiso Dabengwa reiterated the company believes there is no legal merit to Turkcell's claim and no basis for such a claim to be brought before a US court. MTN will oppose the suit.
The local operator's independent committee, set up to investigate the allegations and chaired by jurist Lord Leonard Hoffmann, is expected to make recommendations to MTN's board later in the year, said Dabengwa.
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