The strife in Iran is not over for MTN, despite the $4.2 billion lawsuit brought against the operator by Turkcell having been dropped over three months ago.
SA's specialist crime unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, or Hawks, is still investigating allegations of bribery and corruption against MTN that originated in 2005, after the company was awarded a GSM licence in Iran, while Istanbul-based Turkcell was snubbed in the running. Turkcell accused MTN of employing underhanded tactics to acquire the licence.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko says while he cannot divulge any details surrounding the probe into MTN's Iran dealings, the unit is still investigating corruption claims against the company.
In May, Turkcell dropped the multibillion-dollar lawsuit it filed last year March, citing a recent US Supreme Court ruling that hurt its case.
The continuation of the Hawks investigation comes amid an exodus of high-level employees, a management shake-up and strained financial results in SA, one of MTN's most important markets.
Meanwhile, the sudden resignation of MTN's former chief financial officer Nazir Patel, about a month ago, has left another cloud over the operator - with reports suggesting this too was a result of duplicitous dealings relating to Iran. MTN would not provide details of his resignation.
Last week, MTN suspended Robert Madzonga, its chief corporate services officer in SA. While reports suggest this was because he authorised R12.3 million in questionable payments, MTN again declined to comment or provide any further details.
MTN Group did not respond by the time of publication.
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