Former MTN Group CEO Phuthuma Nhleko has again defended his position on charges of corruption and bribery against the group relating to its license in Iran.<\/p>\n
Turkish mobile operator Turkcell has launched a $4.2 billion lawsuit in a US court accusing MTN of bribing its way to the Iranian licence and alleging human rights abuses. MTN denies the charges.<\/p>\n
MTN owns 49% of Irancell, the group that was awarded the 2nd Iranian GSM licence.<\/p>\n
Elite crime-fighting unit the Hawks are set to investigate MTN.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am honoured and proud to have been the group CEO and President of the MTN Group of companies for nearly a ten year period until March 2011.\u00a0 During this period, MTN grew to be the largest market capitalised company on the JSE (over R250\u00a0billion) that has its primary listing in South Africa,\u201d Nhleko said in a statement on Wednesday (6 June).<\/p>\n
The former company head had previously stated his position on the allegations back in April and moved to reiterate that stance on Wednesday.\u00a0\u201cI repeat that, during my tenure as CEO of MTN, no bribes were approved or paid with my consent or the consent of the MTN Group.\u00a0 Further, neither the MTN Group nor I were in a position to influence or fetter the decisions and foreign policy of the South African government, and we did not do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe allegations now made by Turkcell are being made inexplicably for the first time in almost seven years after the licence was issued in Iran.\u00a0 These allegations are entirely without substance and have been made recklessly and irresponsibly by an aggrieved competitor,\u201d Nhleko said.<\/p>\n
He notes that Turkcell is attempting to pursue its claims in a US court, despite the fact that the issue is one between a Turkish company and a South African company regarding a licence in Iran.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no connection whatsoever with the US.\u00a0 The question of jurisdiction will ultimately be decided by a US court.\u00a0 However, in the interim, Turkcell continues to use the media to publish its far\u2011fetched allegations, which are based on the contradictory and inconsistent evidence given, on deposition, in the US, by a disgruntled former MTN employee.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the circumstances I do therefore consider it necessary to repeat that no bribes were approved or paid with my consent or the consent of the MTN Group.\u00a0 The allegation that the MTN Group was pervaded by a culture of “extensive corruption” is scurrilous and untrue.\u00a0 I remain willing to assist MTN and South African law enforcement agencies in rebutting the false claims and allegations made by Turkcell,\u201d Nhleko concluded.<\/p>\n
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