Telkom’s tender trouble

Telkom South Africa is facing a lawsuit aimed at blocking its award of a tender for a point-to-point microwave backhaul system to Telsaf and Ericsson. According to a report from Business Times, local firm Maredi Telecom and Broadcasting has filed an application with the Pretoria High Court to stop the multi-million rand tender, which it claims contravenes the Promotions and Administrative Justice Act covering the fair award of contracts by state-backed entities. Telkom has been accused of corruption, with a number of the telco’s executives said to enjoy a close relationship with senior management at Swedish vendor Ericsson.