The resignation of MTN’s group CEO Sifiso Dabengwa should not be seen as an admission of wrongdoing, the operator’s spokesman said.
MTN on Monday confirmed that Dabengwa had resigned following the company having been fined US$5,2bn in Nigeria for failing to disconnect 5m unregistered Sim cards in a timely manner in the country. MTN said in a market update to shareholders that it’s still engaging with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regarding the fine.
Dabengwa further said in a statement on Monday morning that his resignation was in the “interest of the company and its shareholders”.
“He went on to say that it was an honouring gesture — our position is that we don’t want his resignation to indicate or confirm any wrongdoing,” said MTN group executive of corporate affairs Chris Maroleng.
Maroleng would also not be drawn on whether MTN’s fine in Nigeria could be a means for the country to make up for its lower oil revenues this year.
“We cannot really further any speculation around the intentions of the regulator, though the size of the fine took us by surprise,” Maroleng said.
It’s been widely reported that the NCC has set MTN a payment deadline of 16 November.
“We anticipate before then — 16 November — some kind of response with the authorities in Nigeria,” Maroleng said.
In the meantime, MTN has appointed former group chair Phuthuma Nhleko as interim executive chairman while the company searches for someone to permanently replace Dabengwa.
Nhleko’s particular experience in Nigeria and emerging markets was a deciding factor in his appointment, said the company.
“The gravity of current events in Nigeria required MTN to act swiftly and the board felt that Phuthuma Nhleko had the necessary experience especially in Nigeria,” said Maroleng.
He said that MTN was committed to driving its agenda in all its emerging markets and Nhleko’s appointment was an indicator of the operator’s intentions.
“This should indicate to the market our intention to address the situation seriously.”
Should the NCC though decline to accept a fine reduction, it could potentially force MTN to cease operations in Nigeria. Maroleng, however, declined to comment on how the company would deal with that possibility.
“We engage with those regulators and any comment now would be premature.”
MTN’s share price on Monday morning in Johannesburg was down by 1,1% in trade to R155,70 at 9.57. — Fin24