By Bosco Bush
South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly is to probe allegations of malpractices and corruption by telecommunication companies in the country.
The leading telecom Companies operation in South Sudan are MTN South Sudan, Zain, and Digital.
In a regular sitting on Tuesday, August 13th, the parliament deliberated on a motion presented by Hon. Juol Nhomngek Daniel, regarding an alleged misconduct within MTN South Sudan.
The companies are accused of extorting money from the citizens by levying high consumption rates of airtime and data bundles.
A four-page motion presented by Hon. Nhomngek prompted the investigation into the matter.
The motion is titled “An Urgent and Important Matter Concerning the Allegations of Malpractices within MTN South Sudan Network and Their Negative Socio-Economic Implications on the Welfare of Citizens and the General Public in the Republic of South Sudan.”
The report stated that MTN South Sudan and its partner ZTE Corporation South Sudan have been illegally screwing a lofty 50,000 USD and 10 per cent Purchase Order in cash from subcontractors before awarded subcontracts.
“The available documents show that individuals working in the MTN South Sudan and ZTE Corporation have been illegally collecting USD 50,000 and demanding 10% of every Purchase Order (PO) from the subcontractors that is required to be paid before the subcontracts are awarded to subcontractors. As a matter of fact, the subcontractors are forced to agree with their terms to get subcontracts under duress,” the report reads in part.
“This is a very serious allegation of brazen acts of malpractice within the MTN South Sudan communication networks in collaboration with the ZTE Corporation,” it added.
Commenting on the matter, several MPs hailed the motion, delved it deeper and shared their various personal experiences as users of the 3 telecommunication networks operating in the country.
First Deputy Speaker, Oyet Nathaniel in his submission noted that such alleged malpractices are contributing factors to the costly telecommunication services that the citizens and public are undergoing including himself being a victim of the circumstances.
“This motion is very important. I have actually waiting for the motion to mature, because at one point if I had direct contact with MTN, I was going to call them. I realized the consumption of my airtime when I load, was going almost even more than what I eat as a person.”
“I have been travelling in the region and also owing SIM cards in the region and even beyond. When you put your airtime and use your airtime, you will really realize the worth. You will communicate within that country and even abroad comfortably without fear of your call being cut because of insufficient airtime.”
“Why are the charges in the Republic of South Sudan very expensive more than the ones in Uganda, Kenya, or even Sudan? Oyet asked.
After thorough discussions, the Members of Parliament unanimously agreed to constitute a nine-member technical committee to investigate the matter across the major telecom networks operating in the country.
Early this month, MTN, Zain, and Digital South Sudan announced a second phase of tariff adjustments, effective August 1, 2024, in alignment with the latest exchange rate regulations set by the Bank of South Sudan and the National Communications Authority (NCA).
This adjustment resulted in increased costs for mobile airtime and internet data bundles.
The Telcom companies said the decision aims to support continued investment in advanced technology, ensure network reliability, and enhance customer service.
However, netizens decried the move citing that expensive tariffs would hinder effective communications and social activities.