MTN says its CEO Ralph Mupita has done nothing wrong

MTN said an independent report found no evidence of improper conduct by its CEO, Ralph Mupita, following allegations of alleged favouritism.

This comes after MTN, Africa’s biggest wireless service provider by subscribers, announced earlier this week that it is probing issues of alleged favouritism by Mupita. 

Sunday Times reported on 1 September that an unspecified number of executives threatened to quit after complaining about Mupita allegedly giving preferential treatment to a female executive. 

MTN told Bloomberg that its board is “engaged in a verification process in relation to the allegations raised and once this process has been completed”.

The company said it would deliberate and communicate as appropriate with stakeholders. Mupita said the board was managing the process.

Nine of MTN’s executives have signed a memorandum backing Mupita. Another executive later added his support via email, bringing the number to 10. The company has 15 executives, excluding Mupita.

Mupita earlier this week sent a letter to staff assuring them that MTN has governance processes in place to address employee matters, including those concerning senior leadership. 

“The group board is going through the necessary processes to understand the matters and will address them,” according to the letter seen by Bloomberg.

On Friday, MTN said via SENS that it had noted the media reporting in the past few days regarding allegations of complaints against members of the group’s executive. 

It advised shareholders that the company’s board held a special meeting on Wednesday, 4 September 2024, to deliberate on a report by an independent law firm.

This counsel was tasked to verify allegations contained in an anonymous complaint against members of the MTN executive. 

The independent report stated that attempts to engage with the complainant were unsuccessful and found that there was no evidence of improper conduct by those cited in the complaint.

“In its deliberations, the Board accepted the Report finding and is of the view that the matter has been addressed and is now closed,” MTN said. 

“The Board further expressed its full support for the Group Chief Executive Officer and the MTN strategy.”