MALATSI’S ANTI-TRANSFORMATION ICT POLICY @KASIBC_NEWS

MALATSI’S ANTI-TRANSFORMATION ICT POLICY  @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects, outrightly, the so-called policy direction issued today by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, which gazettes a backdoor for foreign multinationals like Elon Musk’s Starlink to bypass South Africa’s Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) laws under the guise of “Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes” (EEIPs). The EFF expected this betrayal, and we have consistently warned that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is facilitating the erosion of transformation in the interests of white capital and Western imperialism. 

This policy direction is unconstitutional and driven by external pressure, particularly from Elon Musk, a close ally of Donald Trump. This policy is tailor-made to allow Starlink access to operate in South Africa without meeting the mandatory 30% local ownership requirement as per the Electronic Communications Act. Musk has arrogantly refused to comply with our sovereign laws, and the ANC-led government has chosen to kneel. 

This policy is clearly a capitulation in the face of an aggressive disinformation campaign of white genocide perpetuated by Musk. Musk, through Starlink is now essentially being rewarded after a pure case of corporate terror that undermines our sovereignty and necessary transformation polices. 

The new policy direction from Minister Malatsi proposes allowing foreign multinationals to bypass the requirement for 30% Black ownership by substituting it with alternate EEIPs such as “skills development” or “digital inclusion” projects; changing ICASA’s regulations to allow these EEIPs as valid substitutes for ownership; and encouraging investment under these relaxed terms to “unlock broadband access” and digital infrastructure. 

All policies clearly aimed at Starlink, which was advocated for by Ramaphosa’s handler, Johann Rupert, in Washington earlier this week in South Africa at the US’s bilateral meeting. 

The EFF rejects the false logic that transformation can be achieved without ownership. No amount of skills training or pilot programmes can replace direct equity, control, and wealth redistribution. This is a cowardly surrender to US imperialism and a direct assault on Black economic participation. Starlink and similar entities must comply with the same laws that apply to local companies. 

Of more concern, is the clear national security threat posed by Starlink, as its owner has secured a manipulation of the laws of a country through the use of disinformation and by exerting his power and influence over the President of the US, who aided his business interests through aggressive foreign policy against South Africa. 

To surrender our telecommunications capabilities and allow him access and control in a country he has accused of a genocide, is a threat to our nation. This does not even consider the effects on the local telecommunications industry upon the entrance of a foreign satellite company with no imperatives to create jobs which will essentially operate remotely in the US. 

As a result, the EFF will challenge this unconstitutional proposal in Parliament and explore all legal mechanisms to assert the supremacy of the Constitution and the rightful place of historically disadvantaged South Africans in the ICT sector. 

We will not allow our laws to be rewritten in Washington.