The available records do not permit a responsible conclusion.
Turkcell alleges in its South African lawsuit that MTN paid bribes to South African and Iranian officials to secure its stake in Irancell.
bribes to SA and Iranian officials
- About
- MTN Group Limited
- Claim made by
- Business Day, press report
- Published
- 22 May 2025
- Evidence score
- 56 How it was scored
- Last reviewed
- 25 October 2026
Why this label
The allegation is Turkcell's and has not been tested at trialS4. The South African litigation has turned so far on jurisdiction and applicable law. The High Court dismissed the claim in November 2022 for lack of jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court of Appeal set that aside on 29 April 2025S3. MTN said the appeal ruling did not relate to the meritsS3. MTN denies the allegationsS4S5 and filed a notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court on 21 May 2025, arguing the claims belong in Iranian courtsS4. Turkcell opposes the appealS4. We found no Constitutional Court decision or trial date as of October 2026. No court has made findings on the bribery allegation.
Current procedural position
Supreme Court of Appeal held on 29 April 2025 that South African courts have jurisdictionS3. MTN filed a notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court on 21 May 2025S4. No Constitutional Court decision and no merits ruling found as of October 2026.
Record supporting the assessment
bribes to SA and Iranian officials
sought damages of $4.2 billion
Conflicting or limiting record
MTN has always maintained that the Turkcell litigation was without merit
have not yet been tested in court
Evidence score: 56 of 100
The score grades how well the record establishes this assessment. It is not a score of MTN Group Limited. Score = source authority + directness + corroboration + procedural accuracy + currency + reproducibility.
| Component | Points | Max | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source authorityIs the source competent to establish the proposition? | 14 | 30 | The allegation and the denial come through press reports, not the pleadings. |
| DirectnessDoes the source state the proposition or only discuss adjacent facts? | 15 | 20 | The reports state the allegation and the denial directly. |
| CorroborationDo independent records support the same material point? | 9 | 15 | Named press reports agree on the claim, the denial and the procedural history. |
| Procedural accuracyDoes the record settle the procedural state the claim describes? | 3 | 15 | The case is at a jurisdictional stage with no merits ruling. |
| CurrencyHas the record been checked against later developments? | 8 | 10 | Checked in October 2026, with no Constitutional Court decision found. |
| ReproducibilityCan a reader locate the passage and repeat the assessment? | 7 | 10 | The press reports are public, but the judgment itself was not read. |
| Total | 56 | 100 |
Timeline
- Turkcell and EAC sue in the South African High CourtS3
- High Court dismisses the claim for lack of jurisdictionS3
- Supreme Court of Appeal finds South African courts have jurisdictionS3
- MTN says it will approach the Constitutional CourtS5
- MTN files notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional CourtS4
Related cases
- Turkcell and East Asian Consortium (EAC) v. MTN Group Limited and othersHigh Court of South Africa, Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court. Civil. Not published.Stage: Jurisdiction upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal on 29 April 2025. Notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court filed on 21 May 2025. No decision found as of October 2026. No merits hearing.
Responses
- MTN Group, 30 April 2025: MTN said the appeal ruling did not relate to the merits of Turkcell's claims.S3
Revision history
- Assessment first published with label Unresolved.
Have a record that changes this assessment? See corrections and responses.
Sources
- S4Tier C MTN files appeal with Constitutional Court over Iran licence caseBusiness Day. Press report. 22 May 2025.Report by Mudiwa Gavaza on MTN's notice of intention to appeal, Turkcell's allegations and its opposition. It reports no Constitutional Court decision.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S3Tier C MTN, Turkcell $4.2B legal battle heads to SA's top courtConnecting Africa. Press report. 30 April 2025.Report by Paula Gilbert on the High Court and appeal rulings. It does not report a Constitutional Court filing.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S5Tier C Turkcell Lawsuit Against MTN Moves Forward After SCA RulingTechAfrica News. Press report. 30 April 2025.Report by Aayushya Ranjan quoting MTN's intention to approach the Constitutional Court. It reports no ruling.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
Other claims about MTN Group Limited
- Outdated68The South African High Court found in November 2022 that South African courts did not have jurisdiction over Turkcell's claim against MTN and dismissed it with costs.Press report, 30 April 20254 records citedCorporate status
- Unresolved58Plaintiffs in US Anti-Terrorism Act suits allege that MTN paid protection money to the Taliban for the security of its towers in Afghanistan.Press report, 29 September 20265 records citedSanctions
- Supported65MTN said the September 2023 US ruling did not mean it had lost the case or that it had violated the law.Company statement, 17 April 20255 records citedCorporate status