Criticism over law that could pave way for Starlink

BUSINESS organisations and opposition political parties have reacted strongly to the recent policy directive issued by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, that could allow the Starlink satellite internet service to operate in the country without the requisite BBBEE laws, saying this is a threat to black economic empowerment.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

Critics of the move say that suggesting that Starlink, owned by Pretoria-born billionaire Elon Musk, might operate in South Africa without meeting the 30% HDG (historically disadvantaged groups) ownership requirement in the ICT sector through an Equity Equivalent Programme (EEP), the minister is attempting to recast the country’s licensing laws through this policy directive.

They have also questioned the timing of Malatsi’s gazette under the Electronic Communications Act (ECT), a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa returned from his White House meeting with US President Donald Trump and Musk, who has condemned the country’s empowerment laws.

Malatsi’s spokesperson has denied that the directive was drafted to allow Musk to bypass regulatory requirements and said the timing of the publication was a coincidence.

Kganki Matabane, CEO of the Black Business Council (BBC) said Malatsi’s policy directive means the country’s sovereignty has been held at ransom by people who have been throwing insults against it.

“We are not against Starlink or the investment but against the changing of our laws to accommodate individuals and people who do not respect the country and its laws. We would have lost the country’s sovereignty as no one is exempted from complying with the laws of the country,” he said.