Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      ‘System offline’ scourge to end, says Schreiber – but industry must pay

      23 June 2025

      Why the spectrum gold rush may soon be over

      23 June 2025

      Tech stability key to getting South Africa off damaging financial grey list

      23 June 2025

      Naspers shifts to an AI-first strategy – and it’s paying off

      23 June 2025

      Letter: South Africa risks missing AI wave while world surges ahead

      23 June 2025
    • World

      Watch | Starship rocket explodes in setback to Musk’s Mars mission

      19 June 2025

      Trump Mobile dials into politics, profit and patriarchy

      17 June 2025

      Samsung plots health data hub to link users and doctors in real time

      17 June 2025

      Beijing’s chip champions blacklisted by Taiwan

      16 June 2025

      China is behind in AI chips – but for how much longer?

      13 June 2025
    • In-depth

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025

      MultiChoice may unbundle SuperSport from DStv

      12 June 2025

      Grok promised bias-free chat. Then came the edits

      2 June 2025

      Digital fortress: We go inside JB5, Teraco’s giant new AI-ready data centre

      30 May 2025

      Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s big bet to out-Apple Apple

      22 May 2025
    • TCS

      TechCentral Nexus S0E3: Behind Takealot’s revenue surge

      23 June 2025

      TCS | South Africa’s Sociable wants to make social media social again

      23 June 2025

      TCS+ | AfriGIS’s Helen Hulett on how tech can help resolve South Africa’s water crisis

      18 June 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E2: South Africa’s digital battlefield

      16 June 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E1: Starlink, BEE and a new leader at Vodacom

      8 June 2025
    • Opinion

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025

      Singapore soared – why can’t we? Lessons South Africa refuses to learn

      13 June 2025

      Beyond the box: why IT distribution depends on real partnerships

      2 June 2025

      South Africa’s next crisis? Being offline in an AI-driven world

      2 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » Hawks raid MTN offices in Turkcell dispute

    Hawks raid MTN offices in Turkcell dispute

    By Duncan McLeod5 June 2018
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    The Hawks have raided the offices of MTN Group and those of its external legal counsel, Webber Wentzel, apparently over the ongoing legal dispute with rival Turkcell, which lost out to the JSE-listed telecommunications operator to a lucrative operating licence in Iran in 2005.

    The separate raids both took place on Friday, TechCentral has learnt.

    It’s understood that the Hawks seized materials at both companies. Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi did not respond to a request for comment on why the police agency decided to conduct the raids.

    In e-mailed response to questions from TechCentral on Tuesday, MTN confirmed that the Hawks raided its Fairland, Johannesburg head office.

    Webber Wentzel can confirm that the Hawks arrived at its Johannesburg office on 1 June with a warrant to seize documents related to a client involved in ongoing commercial litigation

    “On 1 June, representatives from South Africa’s directorate for priority crime investigation (the Hawks) visited both MTN and its external legal counsel to obtain documents relating to aspects of the Turkcell litigation pursuant to MTN’s original self-reporting of this matter and the Turkcell complaint”.

    MTN said it is “cooperating fully” with the Hawks’ investigation.

    Webber Wentzel also confirmed to TechCentral that the Hawks raided its offices on Friday, though it declined to say whether the raid was related to MTN, saying it is prevented professionally from providing any third party with information related to client matters.

    “Webber Wentzel can, however, confirm that the Hawks arrived at its Johannesburg office on 1 June with a warrant to seize documents related to a client involved in ongoing commercial litigation,” it said.

    The law firm said it is reviewing the lawfulness of the warrant as well as its execution by the Hawks “on several grounds, including legal privilege”.

    “Webber Wentzel ensured that the documents and information taken were sealed and will be kept by an independent third party, nominated by Webber Wentzel, pending the outcome of an application to the high court,” it said. “Webber Wentzel will ensure that its client’s rights are protected and that legal privilege, which is a key principle of the legal profession, is upheld.”

    $4.2bn lawsuit

    MTN Group last year moved to have Turkcell’s US$4.2bn (R53.3bn) lawsuit against it thrown out by the high court in South Africa, arguing, among other things, that several previous attempts by its rival, in other forums, to seek redress against the Johannesburg-based mobile operator had failed.

    MTN said it did nothing wrong in securing an operating licence in Iran.

    The dispute between the companies dates to 2005. Over the years, Turkcell has accused MTN of paying bribes to secure the Iran licence. MTN owns 49% of MTN Irancell, that country’s second mobile network operator. Turkcell claimed it lost out to MTN after the latter paid bribes and other inducements to secure the lucrative stake, charges which MTN has refuted. Iran is one of MTN’s most important markets, alongside Nigeria and South Africa.

    MTN remains of the view that Turkcell’s claim is opportunistic, an abuse of the process of court, baseless and without merit

    Previous attempts by Turkcell to resolve the matter through international arbitration failed. The company approached the South African courts after a legislative change affected the jurisdiction of a US court from which it had earlier sought relief. It alleged in its application to that court that MTN had conspired with Iranian officials to oust it from the successful consortium that bid for the licence and take its place by promising to use its influence with the South African government so it could procure defence equipment and garner support for its nuclear development programme at meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

    Turkcell’s legal challenge comes despite the findings in 2013 of the Hoffmann Committee, appointed by MTN in 2012, which cleared the South African group of wrongdoing in Iran. That committee, chaired by South African-born former senior British jurist Leonard Hoffmann, found there was no conspiracy between MTN and Iranian officials to remove Turkcell from the bidding process. Indeed, the committee found that Turkcell’s allegations were a “fabric of lies, distortions and inventions”.

    On Tuesday, MTN said it “remains of the view that Turkcell’s claim is opportunistic, an abuse of the process of court, baseless and without merit”. It said it has provided the Hawks with a full copy of the Hoffman report, together with detailed annexures.

    On Wednesday, Turkcell said it welcomed the Hawks investigation and “looks forward to seeing the evidence that Hawks uncovers against those involved”.

    “Turkcell continues to believe in the merits of its damages claim, which it is pursuing in the South African courts.”

    MTN’s share price fell sharply after TechCentral first reported the news about the raid on its head office, but recovered some ground later in the day. It closed the session at R116.24.  – © 2018 NewsCentral Media



    MTN top Turkcell Webber Wentzel
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleQualcomm takes aim at Intel with Snapdragon 850 chip
    Next Article ITU Telecom World Awards launches 2018 edition

    Related Posts

    Listed: All the MVNOs in South Africa – 2025 edition

    19 June 2025

    MTN CEO edges Vodacom rival in pay stakes – but just barely

    18 June 2025

    TechCentral Nexus S0E2: South Africa’s digital battlefield

    16 June 2025
    Company News

    IoT connectivity management in South Africa – expert insights

    23 June 2025

    Let’s reimagine Joburg using the power of tech, data and AI

    23 June 2025

    Netstar doubles down on global markets while backing SA growth

    23 June 2025
    Opinion

    South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

    17 June 2025

    AI and the future of ICT distribution

    16 June 2025

    Singapore soared – why can’t we? Lessons South Africa refuses to learn

    13 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.