ICT reforms 'unrelated' to Starlink – Malatsi
Communications and Digital
Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi says his proposal to ease regulatory
requirements for investing in South Africa’s ICT sector has nothing to do with Elon Musk's Starlink.
"I would not have predicted that there would be a visit last week. There is no conspiracy on our part with regards to this policy direction," said Malatsi.
"There is no underhanded effort in darkness to railroad this into the South African public. We've, at all times, communicated the process publicly."
Malatsi defended his plans to propose a policy directive to ICASA, which he said will make BBBEE rules clear and consistent.
The announcement came a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, a gathering at which Musk was present.
READ: Malatsi backs ICT growth, hints at Starlink launch
Malatsi said ICASA had already been approached about the proposal in October.
"I'm pretty clear that transformation is…a non-negotiable in order for the country to achieve its aspirations, but most importantly to live to the provisions of the triple BEE Act as it was articulated and envisaged," he said.
"So, we are not attempting to open a special dispensation for styling or any other company or an individual.
"We are saying that the regulations in our sector must consistently make provision for the two choices that exist in any other sector and other aspects of the ICT."
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