Vodacom decided Nkosana Makate, the “inventor'' of the “Please Call Me'' service, will face a review at the Constitutional Court.
This comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the telecommunications operator's appeal against an earlier High Court ruling that said the operator had not provided sufficient compensation to Makate for its services. A recent Constitutional Court judgment found that Makate did not provide that service. It was invented even though it is actually claimed to have been invented at MTN.
“Vodacom takes note of the judgment of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal in Vodacom (Pty) Ltd v Makate, handed down on 6 February 2024,” the carrier said.
“Vodacom is surprised and disappointed by this judgment and will apply to the Constitutional Court of South Africa for a stay of appeal.”
The Supreme Court has rejected Vodacom's application for a stay of appeal against an earlier High Court ruling, ordering the company's CEO Shamir Joosab to issue a statement on the premise that Makate has an 18-year contract with the company. Based on this, he ordered Makate to make a new offer.
If the Constitutional Court rejects the appeal, the case could cost Vodacom far more than the R47 million it had previously offered Makate in compensation.
According to the Supreme Court's ruling, Makate is entitled to 5% to 7.5% of the gross revenue generated by the “Call Me” product over an 18-year period from 2001 to 2019, plus interest. – © 2024 News Central Media