Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 16-02-2019
The former ambassador to Iran allegedly accused of taking a bribe of R1.4 million in 2006 has been granted bail of R4,000 in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Seventy-five-year-old Yusuf Saloojee was arrested by the Hawks on Thursday and made a brief court appearance facing charges of corruption.
The former ambassador is accused of facilitating the cancellation of a cellphone operating licence awarded to Turkish mobile company Turkcell by the government of Iran, which was then awarded to MTN South Africa instead.
It’s believed the deal was to operate in Iran for 15-years and worth over $31 billion.
The Hawks Hangwani Mulaudzi says the investigation into the phase that deals with the MTN Consortium is not yet finalized.
“Based on this, we believe we are on the right track. We are happy with the arrest and at the same time, I think it will also send a strong message that anybody who wants to deal with any foreign bribery matters.”
MTN has denied paying bribes to secure the lucrative cellphone licence in Iran after it was initially given to Turkcell.
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