Turkcell said its $4.2-billion (around R54.8 billion) case against MTN will go to trial in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The Turkish operator alleges that MTN unlawfully secured the Iranian mobile phone operating licence that Turkcell won in 2004, and that MTN used bribery and corruption to overturn the initial decision.<\/p>\n
Turkcell said it was the winning bidder for the Iranian licence in 2004, with MTN coming second. MTN subsequently operated Iran\u2019s first private cellphone network as MTN Irancell.<\/p>\n
The $4.2-billion claim against MTN is calculated from the profits and interest Turkcell said it would have made had it operated the Irancell licence.<\/p>\n
Its claim was lodged in a local High Court in 2013, but was\u00a0delayed by objections from MTN.<\/p>\n
On 5 May, the court rejected the 29 remaining\u00a0objections from MTN, clearing the way for Turkcell\u2019s\u00a0case to go ahead.<\/p>\n
The claim is against MTN Group and its companies, as well as Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN\u2019s executive chairman, and former MTN director Irene Charnley.<\/p>\n
MTN had until 30 May to apply for leave to appeal, but did not do so, said Turkcell.<\/p>\n
MTN has 20 days to answer Turkcell\u2019s claim, after which the matter will move towards discovery and a trial date will be set,\u00a0it said.<\/p>\n
MTN\u00a0said it\u00a0has noted reports of the lawsuit against it\u00a0in the South Gauteng High Court.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe lawsuit currently before the courts is not a new action and arises from a claim that was lodged in 2013,\u201d said MTN.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRecent developments in the matter were procedural in nature and had nothing to do with the merits of the case.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n