![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/starlink.jpeg?resize=300%2C168&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nRabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za<\/p>\n
27 April 2025<\/p>\n
3-minute read<\/p>\n
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Non-profit Organization Public Interest South Africa has added their voices to other political parties and organizations slamming Communication Minister Solly Malawutsi\u2019s published policy directive allowing Starlink to operate in SA.<\/p>\n
Tebogo Kaas from Public Interest SA says that they are concerned about the \u201cmove that is intending to specifically assist a particular player in the telecoms sector globally.\u201d The move will exempt Starlink from complying with SA\u2019s broad based Black Economic Empowerment requirements, giving authorities like IKASA and other regulating bodies no say.<\/p>\n
He says that while they are not opposed to \u201cequity equivalence,\u201d there ought to be due process to ensure fairness and transparency for all role players. The minister\u2019s actions are not \u201caligned with the DTI\u201d and should be \u201creigned in\u201d for harmonisation of sectoral codes applicable to all sectors, especially that of telecommunications.<\/p>\n
A major concern is that a non-public official, the richest man in South Africa, Johan Rupert, announced on television in the Oval Office of the White House that \u201cStarlink will be a player in South Africa\u201d without any administrative process being instituted. Following closely behind, Minister Malawutsi \u201cmoved with speed\u201d to have the announcement gazetted. \u201cWe cannot allow another state capture,\u201d Mr Kaas emphasized, stating that we should be more circumspect about such moves.<\/p>\n
While Starlink will be of benefit to the country with satellite solutions to provide adequate network coverage in rural areas, Tebogo reiterated that \u201cwe are a country governed by a rule of law.\u201d Licenses are issued and regulated subject to following certain processes, and circumventing these processes is setting a \u201cdangerous precedent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Public Interest SA is proposing 5 key recommendations, amongst them harmonisation of equity equivalent programs and recalibration of programs designed years ago, to address interventions and outcomes, Mr Kaas concluded.<\/p>\n