EFF accuses minister of undermining law to allow Starlink bypass BEE requirements

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned what it has labelled as attempts by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, to bypass the country’s laws and allow SpaceX’s Starlink to operate in South Africa.

The party claims Malatsi is using a Ministerial Policy Directive to undermine the Electronic Communications Act and the ICT Sector Code in a bid to allow foreign satellite network operators—like Starlink—to bypass Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) ownership requirements.

In a statement, the EFF says the directive would allow companies to avoid the 30% local ownership requirement, which is meant to protect South Africa’s telecommunications industry. Instead, companies would allegedly be able to meet BEE obligations through alternatives such as infrastructure donations.

The Red Berets have accused Malatsi of overstepping his authority by using a policy directive to sidestep Parliament’s law-making powers.

The party further claims the move undermines the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), which has reportedly raised concerns about the legality of the Minister’s directives.

The EFF has vowed to challenge the policy through all available channels, both in Parliament and in the courts.