Minister Malatsi defends Icasa's alignment with B-BBEE

BROAD APPROACH

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA [e-mail]

COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has again defended the decision to align the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) regulations with the B-BBEE framework.

In a written response to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Mazwikayise Blose, Malatsi said the draft policy direction he issued to Icasa sought to ensure that regulations aligned with the empowerment framework as envisaged by amendments to the Electronic Communications Act.

He said these amendments shifted the focus from rigid individual equity ownership to a broader approach that includes mechanisms such as Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) and deemed ownership.

Malatsi said Icasa’s current regulations, which applied a fixed 30% equity rule, did not reflect the broader scope.

“The draft policy direction, therefore, seeks to correct this inconsistency, allowing transformation to be achieved through substantial and measurable EEIP investments that support black-owned businesses, skills development, job creation and economic growth, particularly in rural and underserved areas.