MTN is in disarray due to senior officials leaving the company’s South African operations and internal conflicts among executives at the highest levels.
A media report revealed dissatisfaction with the company’s strategy under new CEO Ralph Mupita, who assumed leadership on September 1, 2020.
Accusations of favouritism and lack of accountability
It was reported in the newspaper that “executives are threatening to quit en masse over his leadership style amid allegations of a lack of accountability and favouritism.”
One of the primary issues is Mupita’s intimate friendship with a senior female group executive whose identity is known to the press.
Company insiders claim that Mupita is taking over multiple departments and delegating control to executives.
Read also: MTN Group reports strong operations and strategic gains in first half
MTN board wade in
The MTN board has been informed of the problem, and in response to a whistleblower report, the board has chosen a legal firm to investigate.
Techpression learned that MTN South Africa was deeply affected by the internal unrest within the group.
According to an MTN executive who spoke with the media, there is conflict between MTN SA executives and group executives over Mupita’s orders about delegating power to the female executive.
The local operation is fighting against proposals to transfer some of the MTN South Africa business to the group.
An MTN insider informed the media that the ongoing crisis is one component of the issues. The leadership crisis goes beyond Mupita and the female executive.
Mass resignation in MTN South Africa
The insider informed the media that MTN South Africa’s workplace has grown chaotic and that the company has recently lost several senior executives.
Godfrey Motsa, the former CEO of MTN South Africa, abruptly left the company in December 2021 without finding a new job.
As a well-liked and captivating CEO, he was well-known for his ability to assemble high-achieving teams. He was a skilled marketeer and business thinker as well.
Many MTN staff members attribute MTN’s comeback over Vodacom as South Africa’s top mobile network to Motsa’s efforts. It was only the beginning when he resigned.
Over the past two years, many reputable high-level telecom sector leaders have left the company in an executive exodus.
After just one year in the role, MTN South Africa’s Chief Financial Service Officer, Bradwin Roper, resigned in May 2024.
In addition, MTN South Africa lost CEO Calvin Collett of Supersonic, chief strategy officer Marco Gagiano, and CTO Giovanni Chiarelli.
In December 2021, Chiarelli departed MTN South Africa, and Michele Gamberini took over. But less than 18 months later, in July 2023, he departed MTN South Africa.
The new CEO of Supersonic, Megan Nicholas, sales executive Nico Jacobs, and chief sales officer Phillip Besiimire are among the others who have departed.
MTN South Africa lost Jacqui O’Sullivan, chief corporate affairs and communications officer, and Philana Oberholzer, General Manager.
Read also: Nigeria sets NIN-SIM linkage final deadline to September 14th
Mass resignation due to leadership crisis
Techpression learned that leadership issues were the main reason for the departure of most executives.
It was startling that so many of these executives left without finding new employment. This supports the assertion of employee dissatisfaction rather than fresh prospects.
Two distinct stories of turmoil at MTN and the departure of executives from MTN South Africa indicate problems at the corporation.
When MTN Group was contacted to comment on the company’s issues, the reporter was referred to the company’s investor relations.
As of the time this report was written, the MTN investor relations team has not responded.