MTN has confirmed that its offices were raided by the Hawks last week.
The company says the Priority Crime Investigation unit was looking for documents and equipment linked to Turkish operator, Turkcell.
The Turkish company has launched a multi-billion rand lawsuit over a disputed Iran licence.
Turkcell accuses MTN of using bribery and undue influence to win over a lucrative Iranian licence originally awarded to it.
Although MTN denies the claims, the company says it will cooperate with authorities in the investigation.
Last year, MTN filed court papers to have the R59-billion claim dismissed.
As a law firm, we are professionally prevented from providing any third party with information related to our clients’ matters. This is a requirement of our profession,” Webber Wentzel told News24 in an emailed response to questions.
Webber Wentzel confirmed the Hawks arrived at its Sandton offices armed with a warrant on Friday “to seize documents related to a client involved in ongoing commercial litigation”.
“We are reviewing the lawfulness of the warrant and its execution by the Hawks on various grounds, including legal privilege. We ensured that the documents and information taken were sealed and will be kept by an independent third party, nominated by us, pending the outcome of an application to the high court. We will ensure that our client’s rights are protected and that legal privilege, which is a key principle to our profession, is upheld.”
MTN said in a statement on Tuesday that it was co-operating fully with the Hawks and that it “continues to defend itself in the long-running litigation where Turkcell is claiming damages against MTN”.
Source:Fin24
