Thabi Leoka resigns as MTN South Africa director

MTN South Africa announced that it had accepted the resignation of Thabi Leoka as an independent non-executive director, effective immediately.

“Leoka joined the board of MTN SA subsidiary in 2019. She resigned to attend to her health and the questions she has been facing concerning her academic qualifications,” it said.

The announcement followed hours after Anglo American Platinum announced that Leoka had resigned from its board.

There was a striking similarity between the announcements from MTN South Africa and Anglo American Platinum.

Anglo American Platinum announcement

In compliance with paragraph 3.59 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, shareholders are advised that, on her request, Thabi Leoka has resigned from her position as a non-executive director of the Company and consequently, the board committees she serves on, with immediate effect, to attend to her health and the questions she has been facing in relation to her academic qualifications.

MTN South Africa announcement

MTN South Africa today accepted the resignation of independent non-executive director Thabi Leoka, effective immediately. Leoka joined the board of the MTN Group subsidiary in 2019. She resigned to attend to her health and the questions she has been facing concerning her academic qualifications. 

Leoka’s resignation from the two boards followed numerous reports and allegations that she lied about obtaining a PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE).

The debacle started after Remgro withdrew her appointment as a director before its AGM in December 2023.

When Remgro announced that the appointment of Leoka was withdrawn, they dropped the Dr from her name.

“The appointment of director Thabi Leoka was withdrawn at the AGM and therefore not voted on,” it said.

“The director has advised the Board that she is no longer available to serve as an independent non-executive director of the company”.

Business Day later reported that Leoka allegedly does not hold a PhD in economics from LSE as she claimed.

Leoka maintained that the allegation that she does not have a PhD from LSE is unfounded. She also provided an LSE PhD degree document to News24.