The claim described an earlier position that has since changed.
The 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.
the South African courts did not have jurisdiction
- About
- MTN Group Limited
- Claim made by
- Connecting Africa, press report
- Published
- 30 April 2025
- Evidence score
- 68 How it was scored
- Last reviewed
- 25 October 2026
Why this label
The High Court's November 2022 ruling ended the case at first instanceS3. On 29 April 2025 the Supreme Court of Appeal set that judgment aside and held that South African courts do have jurisdiction. It agreed that Iranian law applies to key aspectsS3. The dismissal described in 2022 is no longer the position. MTN said it would go to the Constitutional CourtS5 and filed a notice of intention to appeal on 21 May 2025S4. That court must still decide whether to hear itS4, so the jurisdiction question could change again. We found no decision as of October 2026 and did not read the appeal judgment itself.
Current procedural position
High Court dismissal in November 2022 set aside by the Supreme Court of Appeal on 29 April 2025S3. Notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court filed on 21 May 2025S4. No Constitutional Court decision found as of October 2026.
Record supporting the assessment
the South African courts do have jurisdiction
MTN intends to approach the Constitutional Court to appeal this decision.
The notice was filed on May 21.
Conflicting or limiting record
the South African courts did not have jurisdiction
Evidence score: 68 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? | 17 | 30 | Press reports relay the court rulings, and the judgments were not read. |
| DirectnessDoes the source state the proposition or only discuss adjacent facts? | 17 | 20 | The reports state both holdings plainly. |
| CorroborationDo independent records support the same material point? | 10 | 15 | Three press reports agree on the appeal holding and MTN's next step. |
| Procedural accuracyDoes the record settle the procedural state the claim describes? | 8 | 15 | An appeal ruling stands, but a Constitutional Court application was announced. |
| 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? | 8 | 10 | The reports are public. |
| Total | 68 | 100 |
Timeline
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.
Revision history
- Assessment first published with label Outdated.
Have a record that changes this assessment? See corrections and responses.
Sources
- 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
- 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
Other claims about MTN Group Limited
- Unresolved56Turkcell alleges in its South African lawsuit that MTN paid bribes to South African and Iranian officials to secure its stake in Irancell.Press report, 22 May 20254 records citedBribery
- 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