MTN denies Dabengwa court appearance reports
MTN Group has denied that its CEO and president, Sifiso Dabengwa, along with other senior managers have been summoned by a Ugandan court to face tax fraud charges, as reported by Reuters.
The international media company wrote that Dabengwa and 12 officials including the chairperson and CEO of MTN’s Ugandan unit were ordered to appear in court on December 12 to face charges of tax evasion, conspiracy to make false customs declarations and conspiracy to evade taxes,.
This, said Reuters, is according to a November 7 summons issued by the Buganda Road Court.
Paul Norman, MTN Group chief HR and corporate affairs officer said in a statement: “MTN Uganda categorically denies malicious media reports that its directors, including Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa, will appear in court to face charges of tax evasion on 12 December 2012.
“Two weeks ago the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court ruled that criminal summons issued earlier, during a private prosecution initiated by an MTN employee earlier charged with embezzling company funds, were not mandatory orders that required court appearance.”
“The matter has been handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide whether to lay criminal charges against MTN. Should he prefer charges, MTN would definitely defend the action.”
“The allegations against MTN are baseless and spurious; and are a desperate attempt by an employee facing four cases of fraud and theft to sully MTN’s reputation.”
“MTN has consistently been rated as the most compliant tax payer in Uganda over the years. We pride ourselves on strong corporate values of ethical behaviour and integrity,” Norman said.
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