MTN on Monday indicated that the group’s interim chief executive, Phuthuma Nhleko, might have to stay a bit longer than the six months he was contracted for if the issues he was appointed to resolve remain incomplete by the end of his term next month.

This followed media reports over the weekend that Nhleko was planning to step down next month when his term comes to an end.

Nhleko, currently the executive chairman, agreed in November to act as chief executive for a maximum period of six months while the company searched for a successor following the resignation of former CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa.

Nhleko’s mandate was to find a suitable candidate for the CEO position, and also resolve the $3.9-billion fine on MTN imposed by Nigerian lawmakers for not deactivating 5.1 million unregistered customers.

MTN dismissd the reports, saying that it would depend on whether Nhleko stayed longer to fulfil his mandate.

MTN spokesperson, Chris Maruleng, said that the company’s board had not yet discussed Nhleko’s tenure.

“Effectively, the position put forward by Mr Nhleko is that in his capacity as interim CEO, his tenure would be determined by resolving two outstanding issues. First, it is the appointment of the permanent CEO and second, it is the resolution of the Nigeria fine,” Maruleng said.

“On both occasions, he has not indicated that he has reached finality on these matters. The board gave him a mandate to resolve, and he is still working to do just that.”

Maruleng would also not be drawn on clarifying the Nigerian fine, only saying the company was still engaged with authorities to resolve the fine.

“We won’t be drawn to a public comment about Nigeria fine and we don’t want to entertain media speculation. We are actively engaged with Nigerian authorities and our shareholders will be notified officially via the JSE-SENS.”

When Nhleko was given the mandate, MTN said he would revert back to his non-executive chairman role once the permanent CEO had been found.

Nhleko is no stranger to the business as he served as non-executive director and chairman of MTN from July 2001 until June 2002, and thereafter as an executive director, group president and CEO until March 2011.