MTN facing legal action for cutting off internet access

MTN Group has revealed that its Eswatini unit MTN Eswatini has been cited as one of several respondents in an urgent court application which seeks the immediate restoration of internet services in the country, TechCentral writes. The application follows a directive issued on 29 June 2021 by the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) to MTN Eswatini and other operators to suspend access to social media and online platforms until further notice. The legal action was brought by the Institute for Democracy and Leadership (Ideal) and several youth organisations. The matter was heard by the High Court of Eswatini on 2 July and the respondents – including state-controlled Eswatini Mobile and Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), as well as the acting Prime Minister and the ICT minister – were granted leave to file papers on 6 July.