The operator's spokesperson said that the resignation of MTN’s group chief executive officer, Sifiso Dabengwa, should not be considered an admission of wrongdoing.
On Monday, MTN confirmed that Dabengwa had resigned following the company's fine of $5.2 billion in Nigeria for failing to disconnect five million unregistered SIMs promptly in the country.
In a market update to shareholders, MTN said it’s still engaging with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its mega fine in Nigeria.
Dabengwa stated 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 honoring gesture – our position is that we don’t want his resignation to indicate or confirm any wrongdoing,” Chris Maroleng, MTN group executive of Corporate Affairs, told Fin24.
Scapegoat?
Maroleng would also not speculate on whether MTN’s fine in Nigeria could compensate for the country's 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 told Fin24.
It’s been widely reported that the NCC has set MTN's payment deadline of November 16.
“We anticipate some kind of response from the authorities in Nigeria before then – November 16,” Maroleng said.
In the meantime, MTN has appointed former group chair Phuthuma Nhleko as interim executive chair while the company searches for someone to permanently replace Dabengwa.
The company said Nhleko’s particular experience in Nigeria and emerging markets was a deciding factor in his appointment.
“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.”
If the NCC declines 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 1.1% in trade to R155.70 at 09:57.
