Paula Luckhoff27 November 2024 | 17:43

Minister Parks Tau sides with business to appeal decision stopping Vodacom deal with Maziv

The Competition Tribunal is blocking Vodacom's deal with fibre operator Maziv, parent company of Vumatel.

Minister Parks Tau sides with business to appeal decision stopping Vodacom deal with Maziv

Parks Tau. Picture: Instagram

Stephen Grootes interviews Duncan McLeod, founder and editor of TechCentral.

Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, is appealing an order by the Competition Tribunal to stop Vodacom merging with fibre operator Maziv,  the parent company of Vumatel.

Vodacom’s acquisition of a co-controlling stake in Maziv, would have seen significant investment in digital infrastructure in South Africa, particularly in under-served communities.

RELATED: Tribunal blocks Vodacom merger with Maziv - 'communities without fibre will pay the price'

TechCentral reports that it learned that Tau filed a notice of appeal on Tuesday with the Competition Appeal Court, in which he is seeking to have the tribunal’s decision reviewed.

Stephen Grootes interviews Duncan McLeod, editor of TechCentral.

McLeod describes the Minister's move as not only interesting, but significant too.

"It does show us that the regulator is very much independent of the executive of government...  I think it's a positive development to see this and bodes well for investment in SA."
"And I think it's a positive message coming out of the government of national unity."
Duncan McLeod, Editor - TechCentral

While It’s not the first time the minister has voiced his support for the transaction, McLeod says, his formal reasons for appealing the Tribunal's decision are not clear at this stage.

"His notice of motion to the Competition Appeal Court is very brief, as is Vodacom's, because at this stage the Tribunal hasn't actually published its reasons document." 
Duncan McLeod, Editor - TechCentral

For more detail, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article