Try GOLD - Free
Parliament calls for withdrawal of policy directive paving way for Starlink's entry into SA
The Mercury
|December 15, 2025
THE chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Sangoni Diko, has called for the immediate withdrawal of a policy direction issued by Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Solly Malatsi.
Malatsi last week issued a formal policy direction to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), instructing it to urgently align its ownership regulations with the amended ICT Sector Code under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework.
The directive, published in the Government Gazette on Friday, was issued in terms of section 3(2) of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and follows an extensive public consultation process that attracted more than 19 000 submissions.
Malatsi said the policy intervention was necessary to remove regulatory impediments that were constraining both local and international investment and would expand access to high-speed internet across South Africa.
This story is from the December 15, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Mercury
The Mercury
An epic offshore season awaits – 2026 is firing on all cylinders!
Buckle up, because 2026 is rolling in hot with an offshore season that’s already showing serious promise.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
CMS investigates Discovery Health's co-payment recovery claims
THE Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) says it will investigate claims that Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is seeking to claim co-payments back from its members due to an error at South Africa's biggest medical aid in December.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
Be your own knight: Finding greatness in yourself
THERE are no knights in shining armour.
1 min
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
Champions Cup audition for Stormers fringe players against Harlequins
LEIGHTON KOOPMAN
3 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
Sharks searching for new ‘Butch’ or ‘Michalak’ to fire up listless attack
THE Sharks have sent a squad composed mostly of up-and-coming youngsters to Manchester to face Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
De Jong’s work rate could be the missing piece in Orlando Pirates’ title push
HE is not the flashiest striker in the league.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
Wildfires challenge firefighting crews in Western Cape amid extreme heat
EXTREME heat, dense vegetation and limited access are complicating firefighting efforts across parts of the Western Cape yesterday as crews continue to battle multiple active wildfires from the Overstrand to the Garden Route.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
IMF Africa chief Abebe Selassie to retire after leading department through turbulent decade
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, has announced that Abebe Aemro Selassie will retire as director of the IMF’s African Department (AFR) on May 1, bringing to a close a distinguished 32-year career at the Fund.
1 min
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
Ramaphosa: Unemployment keeps me awake
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the high levels of unemployment in the country, revealing that the issue often keeps him awake at night.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Mercury
US asserts control over Venezuela's oil sales
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump's administration said this week it will dictate decisions to Venezuela's interim leaders and control the country’s oil sales “indefinitely” after toppling Nicolas Maduro.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size