Telecom giant's Cameroon unit denies tax evasion allegations

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January 22, 2016 4:29 PM

The Cameroonian anti-graft agency had accused MTN, along with some other telecoms companies in the country of failing to pay taxes.

Phuthuma Nhleko (L), CEO of MTN group, addresses a news conference in a file photo. REUTERS/Aladin Abdel Naby

According to various media reports, MTN Group denied allegation made by the Cameroonian anti-corruption commission (CONAC) that the company was owing taxes and royalties to the government of the country.

The anti-graft agency had accused MTN, along with some other telecoms companies in the country of failing to pay taxes totaling R4.9 billion.

Mobile Money Africa reports that MTN spokesman, Chris Maroleng, stated on Thursday that the network was fully compliant with all the laws of Cameroon, and was ready to cooperate with authorities in the event of an investigation.

READ: Telecom giant seeks out of court settlement in NCC fine case

“We are operating a fully-compliant business in Cameroon and we are very careful when it comes to tax matters,” said Maroleng, according to the report.

Maroleng also emphasized that MTN had not been charged with any crimes, nor had it been briefed on the claims officially.

In a statement released Thursday, Philisiwe Sibiya, CEO MTN Cameroon, stated that the company is not and has never been implicated in any corruption-related actions in the process of carrying out its activities in the country.

MTN Cameroon is the leading telecom provider in Cameroon with an estimated 10 million subscribers.

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