Bribes, Bids, and Billions: The MTN-Turkcell Saga Heads to South Africa’s Highest Court

A legal marathon with global stakes could soon test South Africa’s stance on foreign corruption

The long-running legal standoff between telecom giants MTN and Turkcell has reached yet another legal climax, this time in South Africa’s highest court. What started as a battle over a multi-billion-dollar telecom licence in Iran has now turned into a landmark case that could define how South Africa handles international corruption claims.

MTN, headquartered in Johannesburg and Africa’s largest mobile network operator, is asking the Constitutional Court to block allegations of bribery from being heard within South African borders. Turkcell, its Turkish rival, strongly disagrees — and is fighting to keep the case right where it is.

How did we get here?

The roots of the dispute go back more than a decade. In the mid-2000s, Iran awarded a lucrative GSM licence to MTN, even though Turkcell had initially won the tender. Not long after, Turkcell accused MTN of securing the deal through bribes paid to high-ranking Iranian and South African officials.

The Turkish operator initially filed its case in the US, only to later abandon it. Then came a local bid in South Africa, which was shot down by the Johannesburg High Court two years ago, on the grounds that South Africa didn’t have jurisdiction.

But in April this year, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) flipped that ruling on its head, saying Turkcell can bring its case in South African courts. That decision was historic—it’s the first time a South African court has agreed to hear allegations of corporate misconduct committed outside the country. Now, MTN is making a final attempt to overturn the ruling by appealing to the Constitutional Court.

Why this matters for South Africa

Turkcell is demanding over $4.2 billion in damages. But the stakes go beyond the financial blow to MTN. If Turkcell wins this round, it could set a powerful legal precedent, potentially opening South Africa’s doors to other transnational corruption cases and putting local corporations under much greater scrutiny.

In a statement, Turkcell said the case could “significantly impact South Africa’s position on international bribery and corruption,” urging the court not to allow corporations to avoid accountability by exploiting jurisdiction loopholes.

What each side is saying

MTN has consistently denied the bribery claims, stating it has always acted lawfully and with integrity. The company’s legal team continues to rely heavily on a 2012 report by former UK judge Lord Leonard Hoffmann, which cleared MTN of wrongdoing.

That report concluded that Turkcell’s claims were “a fabric of lies, distortions, and inventions.”

But Turkcell’s lead counsel, Cedric Soule, isn’t buying it. He’s dismissed the Hoffmann investigation as “improper and unreliable,” pointing out that it was commissioned by MTN itself and lacked key judicial safeguards including independent oversight, witness interviews, and full access to evidence.

Business as usual at MTN?

While this courtroom clash unfolds, MTN continues to grow its business. The group recently reported a 19.8% jump in revenue (excluding currency impacts) for the first quarter of 2025, showing that legal clouds haven’t dimmed investor confidence, yet.

But the reputational risks are undeniable. As calls for corporate accountability grow louder globally, South African businesses may need to brace for more transparency, particularly in how they conduct business abroad.

Public opinion and what lies ahead

On social media, public reaction has been mixed. Some South Africans feel the case should absolutely be heard locally, especially if South African officials were allegedly involved. Others argue it’s a foreign matter that doesn’t belong in our courts.

A decision from the Constitutional Court is expected within three months. If the court sides with Turkcell, the Johannesburg High Court will proceed to hear what could be one of the largest corporate bribery cases in South African history.

Whether MTN’s legal strategy will hold up remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the courtroom isn’t just where justice plays out it’s also where reputations are made or shattered.

{Source: IOL}

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