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S. Africa-Nigeria relations not affected by MTN scandal: minister

Xinhua, November 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

The relations between South Africa and Nigeria remain good and cordial despite a heavy fine imposed by the Nigerian authorities on the South African mobile operator MTN, a SA cabinet minister said on Thursday.

"This issue does not affect the cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa. It's in compliance with the laws and regulations of Nigeria. That is the context within which we should look at this matter," Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe told a press briefing in Cape Town after a fortnightly cabinet meeting.

The Nigerian authorities imposed a fine of 5.2 billion U.S. dollars on MTN -- the largest mobile operator in Africa for failing to disconnect 5.1 million subscribers with unregistered or incomplete SIM cards in Nigeria.

The fine came after Nigerian former Finance Minister Olu Falae allegedly was kidnapped in September by people who used unregistered MTN SIM cards.

On Monday, MTN's trading was suspended by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), necessitated by the fine imposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission. But hours later, MTN's trading resumed after the company announced that it was engaging with the Nigerian authorities on the fine.

"Obviously there are discussions between MTN and Nigerian authorities and we should await the outcome of those talks," Radebe said.

"We do hope that the talks between MTN and the Nigerian authorities will bear fruit because we are very desirous that economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa continue from strength to strength,"he said.

The SA cabinet believes that discussions underway on the matter will result in the speedy resolution of the dispute to ensure that MTN continues its business of investing in the Nigerian economy, said Radebe.

"The relations between our two countries are excellent. Our understanding is that the President of Nigeria is very serious about fighting corruption in his country," Radebe said. Enditem