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/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-YVeu_aSls

[size=15pt]South Africa concerned over Nigeria's fine on MTN[/size]

The South African government has expressed concerns about the 5.2 billion fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian communications regulator.

I am sure that MTN miscalculated with the new government and has got its fingers burnt. The company must have believed it's business as usual as was the case under previous govts where they could get away with impunity by doling out a few thousand dolllars to some top NCC guys.

This will serve as a very big lesson, not only to MTN but also all other companies (foreign or local) that there is a new Nigeria under able and capable leadership of PMB/VPYO. These guys will not think twice to apply the laws of the land.

I am equally sure that by the time the FIRS guy (Tunde Fowler) starts his own reforms, many companies known for short-changing Nigeria will be in for big trouble.

With the reforms going on in Nigerian Customs, the NA, NIS and others, I am sure we have began our march to greatness once more.

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....

yello mtn .... they took us for granted..... they are behind boko haram because of our gdp....

buhari remember to fine dstv for over exploitation of nigerians ....10billion dolapo is gud for dstv...they will pay and reduce their tarrif to
2500 naira or they close shop.

We know! But just pay the fine so we'll be convinced you respect laws

redsproperty:
yello mtn .... they took us for granted..... they are behind boko haram because of our gdp....

buhari remember to fine dstv for over exploitation of nigerians ....10billion dolapo is gud for dstv...they will pay and reduce their tarrif to
2500 naira or they close shop.

2500? When men dey vouch for N950... If diesel and fuel money reduce to (maybe N80 & N60 resp.), if DSTV nor collect N900; na them know

I just wish, just a wish, cos anything can happen in this Nigeria. DSTV should be the next to be fine. Their impunity is just too much. Imagine floating a court order. Yet no one sees anything wrong in it.

Make shoprite start de sell beer for N 100

#MTN must pay

MTN na for example,DSTV own dey come...imagine I no fit watch first half of manu match yesterday cos of rain dey fall,and una collet money.
Court say make una no increase money and una increase am...na tru say una dey respect local laws.

Lalasticlala, make we start today for FP with this news nah.

Good development. Even their country knows they're bad @ respecting laws. SA is one lawless country tho'

If not for anything, at least for frustrating our war against the boko war when they seized our money......south african companies operating in my country should brace up for hard times....



.....and the issue of xenophobia is still there. Let them stay in their country and enjoy their gold and diamonds alone and see if they can survive......bunch of ungrateful pple#

.

Good talk

Somehow I pity mtn sha...

yes...and make browsing as cheap as in India

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.

They have to pay o.

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. .

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.

Mtn na tif o

Good

ok

Exactly. That's why you find Indian and Chinese company owners maltreating their Nigerian workers

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.

Make them pay first before any other stories.

Serves them right

Why do SA company always disregard Nigerian laws even court orders MTN , DSTV

DSTVs own is worse .they pick and chose what court injunctions and judgements to adhere to

All other network complied except MTN They should pay up jor Nonsense.... That fine will increase next week monday let me them now incase they don't already know.... Rubbìsh...

Here in France, we don't tolerate this kind of bullshìt

Ok, I think this is more of a vendetta.