Demdem:
South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Africa’s biggest mobile-phone company, the MTN Group Ltd., to follow the rules in countries where it is operating.

This followed a fine of $5.2 billion imposed on MTN by telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for failing to disconnect customers with unregistered phone cards.

NCC gave MTN until November 16 to pay the fine, which relates to the timing of the disconnection of 5.1 million subscribers and is based on a charge of N200,000 ($1,005) for each unregistered customer.

Nigeria is the Johannesburg-based MTN’s biggest market with 62 million clients as of September.

The company’s shares have slumped 14 per cent since October 26, when the fine was imposed.
Ramaphosa, in an address to lawmakers in Cape Town yesterday, said the government would be taking note of what “is happening with a view of seeing how the company involved responds and reacts” to its challenges.

“We would like our companies to comply with the laws and regulations of countries where they operate, without violating them.

“It does seem like in the case of Nigeria, there were issues, and those issues need to be addressed.

“If this fine is indeed imposed as it is, it is going to impact on South Africa as well, as our revenue fortunes from a taxation point of view are going to be lower,” he said.

Agency reports indicated that comments by Ramaphosa, a former chairman of MTN, suggested that South African authorities might leave MTN to face its problem as it seeks to have the penalty reduced.

South African authorities might also be reluctant to confront their Nigerian counterparts following a series of diplomatic spats that have soured relations between the Africa’s two biggest economies.

The most recent occurred in April, when Nigeria’s government allegedly ordered its two most senior diplomats in South Africa to return home for consultations following a wave of attacks against immigrants, including Nigerians, in Johannesburg and Durban.

“South Africa does not have a track record of defending its national company champions internationally,” Nic Borain, a political analyst, who advises BNP Paribas Cadiz Securities, said by phone.

“On the face of it, this fine seems seriously over the top. Ramaphosa’s words about the issue seem weak as they veer too much on the side of caution,” he added.

South Africa’s telecommunication and finance ministries didn’t respond to agency’s calls and e-mails seeking comment.

Lawmakers plan to summon MTN officials to explain why the company was fined, Nkhensani Kubayi, chairwoman of Parliament’s telecommunications committee, said by phone from Cape Town.

The panel will also ask the South African industry regulator to determine whether MTN is compliant with local rules, with hearings likely to take place next year, she said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/mtn-must-respect-laws-of-host-countries-says-south-africa/

Demdem:
Shame to that hypocrite called Senator Bruce. Our laws, rules and regulations must be obeyed. Any foreign investor that isn't comfortable with it shouldn't bother to come while those already here operating under impunity should close shop and go home. A new sheriff is now in charge. Era of impunity is over.

menix:
This MTN talk dey vex me walahi, if e possible i go increase the fine for too much complain from there end.

South Africa get mind seize our money meant for weapon without due consultation all to spite Nigeria, if i be Buhari, any cabinet member wey beg on their behalf gets sack letter..

This oyibo pepper called Ben Bruce needs to be recalled i showear....

macaranta:
Somehow I pity mtn sha...

fart:
MTN should shut up and pay th money. When south Africans were killing nigerians in south Africa did it not occur that they would pay dearly for that? Also what about all the money MTN steals from us? If I make call for one minute they deduct 1000 naira from my balance. Fools. They must pay every kobo. Let us hear word. No body should feel bad for the company jare.

Demdem:
Shame to that hypocrite called Senator Bruce. Our laws, rules and regulations must be obeyed. Any foreign investor that isn't comfortable with it shouldn't bother to come while those already here operating under impunity should close shop and go home. A new sheriff is now in charge. Era of impunity is over.

rhymz:
some of you just comment without the aids of common sense, the senator was right, the fine is way too much unless the aim is not to deter others from flouting the laws, possibly a revenge or something petty. Before some of you run off to post like little angry children, you should also consider the effect such a fine will have not just on foreign investment but also on the Nigerians who make up more than 90% of their workforce, unless you do not care if they lost their job as a result of this preposterous fine.

Nobody is saying the NCC should not fine them for violation but they must do so with some degree of fairness and moderation, you don't throw the baby and the bathwater away just because you want to have a clean bath.... Think before you comment and mislead others.

adepiero:
.

scooby650:


This land wey you occupied soo.. I beg wetin Una wan use am do ooo?

I wan build nursery and primary school with space for sports and another section I go use am build estate and inside the estate I go build tollgate come link am go London

rhymz:
some of you just comment without the aids of common sense, the senator was right, the fine is way too much unless the aim is not to deter others from flouting the laws, possibly a revenge or something petty. Before some of you run off to post like little angry children, you should also consider the effect such a fine will have not just on foreign investment but also on the Nigerians who make up more than 90% of their workforce, unless you do not care if they lost their job as a result of this preposterous fine.

Nobody is saying the NCC should not fine them for violation but they must do so with some degree of fairness and moderation, you don't throw the baby and the bathwater away just because you want to have a clean bath.... Think before you comment and mislead others.

Demdem:
Can u imagine......all other telcos including foreigners complied except MTN who chose not to with a whooping 5.2 million subscribers. What do they take us for? They were aware of the penalty of approximately $1000 for each SIM and they signed for it. Yet they still went ahead to flout it.
The fine is legitimate and MTN should urgently pay up or close shop and go. ( of cos, they are going no where even if the fine is double what they are suppose to pay now. Greedy arseholes. )

eyinjuege:


It's 62 million subscribers, and $5.2 billion penalty fee @ $1005 dollar per unregistered person.

Demdem:


Yeah, i said Approximately $1000

Demdem:
Shame to that hypocrite called Senator Bruce. Our laws, rules and regulations must be obeyed. Any foreign investor that isn't comfortable with it shouldn't bother to come while those already here operating under impunity should close shop and go home. A new sheriff is now in charge. Era of impunity is over.

mikeapollo:


I hope you will say the same thing when Nigerian companies come under similar sanctions in other countries.

Yes I will. I don't expect Nigeria companies to go outside and start disobeying their rules and regulations. MTN signed and agreed to this so it's right for them to face the music. They are not even claiming ignorance. Wise up please.

What the South African Deputy President said is the right thing for reasonable people.

The deputy President is simply saying........MTN, u signed for the approx $1000 per SIM penalty. U Av flouted the law,now pay up. Simple.

But here in Nigeria, we think other countries owe us any special duty so they must not sanction Nigerians/Nigerian businesses when they run foul of the laws of the country.

I don't know about these Nigerians u are reffering to but what I know is am surely not among those.
[s]
That is when we start talking about discrimination, hatred, jealousy and other silly excuses[/s]

Face topic.