South African govt probes ex-ambassador in MTN Irancell case

News Wireless South Africa 11 JUL 2012
South African govt probes ex-ambassador in MTN Irancell case
South Africa's foreign ministry is probing allegations that a former ambassador to Tehran took a USD 200,000 bribe to help MTN Group win a mobile licence in Iran, Reuters reported citing government documents. Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said in a response to written parliamentary questions that her department had started investigating the allegations against Yusuf Saloojee, currently ambassador to Oman.

MTN is being sued in the US by Turkish rival Turkcell for USD 4.2 billion. It alleges that MTN bribed Saloojee and used other underhanded methods to win an Iranian licence over Turkcell in 2005. MTN has denied the charges and called Turkcell's demands "extortionate".

Saloojee has denied the allegations in statements published by South African media. Reuters said no one was immediately available for comment at the South African embassy in Oman.

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

Turkcell,  MTN,  MTN Irancell

Countries:

South Africa

Tags:

Government telecommunications licensing, Government policy, Legislation - Lawsuits

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