Johannesburg, South Africa – Ralph Mupita, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, has been exonerated from allegations of favoritism following a comprehensive investigation conducted by an independent legal firm. The inquiry, initiated after accusations surfaced that Mupita had improperly favored a female executive, concluded that there was no evidence to support the claims.
The allegations, originally brought forth by an anonymous whistleblower, gained widespread media attention earlier this week, leading to speculations that several high-ranking officials within MTN were contemplating resignation in protest. A central accusation was that Mupita had allegedly reassigned the responsibilities of the CEO of MTN South Africa to the female executive in question without due process.
However, after a thorough review, the independent investigation found no substantiating evidence of any misconduct. Efforts to communicate with the whistleblower yielded no substantial interaction, according to MTN’s official statement issued on Friday.
The MTN board reviewed the findings and concurred with the report’s conclusions, effectively closing the matter. “In its deliberations, the board accepted the report findings and is of the view that the matter has been addressed and is now closed. The board further expressed its full support for the CEO and the MTN strategy,” read an official statement from the company.
The resolution of the case comes as a significant relief to Mupita, who had faced intense scrutiny in the wake of the allegations. The situation raised concerns about corporate governance within MTN, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator. In response, Mupita reassured employees of MTN’s strong governance practices aimed at handling such internal concerns.
Despite the controversy, Mupita received backing from ten of the company’s fifteen executive team members, who rallied behind the CEO during the investigation.
The MTN South African branch has seen significant turnover in its senior leadership since 2021, with the departures of several high-ranking executives, including former CEOs Charles Molapisi and Godfrey Motsa, as well as Chief Technology Officer Giovanni Chiarelli, Chief Strategy Officer Marco Gagiano, and other key personnel.
MTN’s board remains focused on moving forward under Mupita’s leadership, affirming its commitment to its long-term strategic goals and strengthening its position as a leader in Africa’s telecommunications industry.
