Johannesburg – MTN Group said on Friday that it had taken legal action to end the shutdown of the internet in Eswatini.
The group confirmed that MTN Eswatini had been cited as one of several respondents in an urgent court application in Eswatini, which sought, among other measures, the immediate restoration of internet services in the country.
The Eswatini Communications Commission issued a directive to MTN Eswatini and other operators to cease access to social media and online platforms until further notice.
“After carefully assessing the directive, and in line with its licence conditions and the group’s digital human rights due diligence framework, MTN Eswatini implemented the directive. MTN Eswatini continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to limit the duration of the service disruption and is reviewing the details of the court application in consultation with its advisers,” MTN said.
The group said it was committed to respecting human rights and endeavours to protect the rights of all people who use our services in the jurisdictions in which we operate in accordance with globally defined standards.
“Our approach to digital human rights is underpinned by a sound policy and due diligence framework and is managed through multidisciplinary teams across our markets,” said MTN.
Tensions have been high in Eswatini amid prodemocracy protests. Shoprite said the current protest action in Eswatini had forced the closure of several of its supermarkets with severe damage to both stores and delivery vehicles.
“We are highly concerned about the senseless acts of malicious damage which have disrupted the food supply chain in the country and puts the livelihood, lives and safety of others at risk,” said the supermarket chain.
