Cape Town – The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has summoned Minister Solly Malatsi to explain new policy directives that appear to ease Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements for satellite service licences, potentially benefiting Elon Musk’s company, Starlink.
In a statement on X, Committee Chairperson Khusela Diko raised concerns that the directives may violate the Electronic Communications Act and unfairly favour SpaceX.
“The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has invited Minister Solly Malatsi and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to appear before the committee and brief on the recently gazetted policy directions,” she said.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE INVITES MINISTER MALATSI FOR A BRIEFING ON STARLINK POLICY DIRECTIVE
Parliament, Saturday, 24 May 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has invited Minister Solly Malatsi and the Department of Communications and…
— Khusela Diko?? (@KhuselaS) May 24, 2025
The policy was issued shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa met with US President Donald Trump and Musk, amid reports of government efforts to attract US investment.
Minister Solly Malatši has issued a policy direction for @ICASA_org to urgently issue regulations allowing equity-equivalent measures to be considered for broadband companies seeking regulatory approval.
AKA: Starlink policy ? pic.twitter.com/Qn25ehKh1B
— Mbekezeli (@MbekezeliMB) May 23, 2025
Critics, including the opposition party Build One South Africa (BOSA), have condemned the move as undermining local businesses and bending laws for wealthy foreigners.
The parliamentary briefing is scheduled for May 27, 2025.
Take a look at some of the reactions on social media:
The MK Party MP Collen Makhubela has written a letter to minister @SollyMalatsi to retract the Starlink Gazzette.
Failure to retract MK will go to court pic.twitter.com/MxKfuNZl5x
— uMKHONTO WESIZWE Info Centre (@MKParty_InfoGuy) May 24, 2025
♦️Did You Know♦️
Transformation cannot be achieved without ownership, and BBEEE laws exist to right the wrongs of the past where Black people were excluded from ownership and participation in the communications sector and general economy.
Minister Solly Malatsi is making way… pic.twitter.com/uFsq6mRfCE
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 24, 2025
?Removing obstacles and opening up more options for companies – big, small, local and international – to contribute to digital inclusion by increasing internet access for all, especially in rural areas.
Minister Solly Malatsi’s move will unlock new jobs: https://t.co/Qwsd2HrRMP pic.twitter.com/1GuXCTffcI
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 24, 2025
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Picture: X/@elonmusk
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
