Telkom controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Court rules against Telkom over cellphone masts
Ruling
In a legal dispute over the installation of cellphone masts, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal ruled against Telkom. The court dismissed Telkom's argument that it could install cellphone masts without prior City approval. The ruling affirmed that Telkom is bound by Cape Town's municipal planning bylaw.
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled against Telkom, dismissing its argument that it could install cellphone masts without prior City approval. The ruling affirmed that Telkom is bound by Cape Town’s municipal planning bylaw.
Source excerpt
The judgment was delivered on 25 September and followed on from an appeal Telkom lodged after the Western Cape High Court ruled in the City’s favour.
“The court dismissed Telkom’s argument that it was free to install cellphone masts – at a location of its choice and without prior approval from the City,” she said.
The Supreme Court of Appeals recently ruled against parastatal Telkom, who since 2016 went ahead and unlawfully erected seven cellphone masts – five of which are in the northern suburbs of Cape Town.
2013
Procurement, nepotism and management allegations
Telkom faced allegations involving poor procurement practices, nepotism and mismanagement. The allegations contributed to scrutiny of governance and operational decision-making at the company.
2007
Public criticism over market dominance and access costs
Consumer and business groups criticised Telkom's historic dominance of fixed-line and international connectivity, arguing that market power and regulatory conditions contributed to high telecommunications costs.