Pretoria - The recent US$5.2 billion fine issued against MTN does not affect the cordial relations between South Africa and Nigeria, with government hopeful that talks between the mobile network and Nigerian authorities will bear fruit.
Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe on Thursday said relations between South Africa and Nigeria are very good and cordial.
This as MTN — the biggest mobile network in Africa — was handed a $5.2 billion fine in the West African country by the Nigerian Communications Commission. This was due to the fact that the mobile network operator had failed to disconnect around five million unregistered SIM cards in that country.
It had been reported that the former Finance Minister in Nigeria had allegedly been kidnapped by people who used unregistered MTN SIM cards.
“This issue does not affect the cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa. It’s in compliance with the laws and regulations of Nigeria. That is the context within which we should look at this matter.
“Obviously there are discussions between MTN and Nigerian authorities and we should await the outcome of those talks.
“We do hope that the talks between MTN and the Nigerian authorities will bear fruit because we are very desirous that economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa continue from strength to strength,” said Minister Radebe.
The Minister was briefing the media following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting.
The Minister said Cabinet has noted developments in the matter. He said Cabinet trusts that discussions underway on the matter will result in the speedy resolution of the dispute to ensure that MTN continues its business of investing in the Nigerian economy.
President Jacob Zuma met with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the United Nations General Assembly in September as well as at a recent meeting in New Delhi, India.
“The relations between our two countries are excellent. Our understanding is that the President of Nigeria is very serious about fighting corruption in his country… Cabinet has not yet been appointed by [Buhari] because he wants a new chapter in Nigeria,” said Minister Radebe. – SAnews.gov.za
