Zibi hits back at Musk's renewed criticisms of SA telecommunications laws

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi has hit back at billionaire Elon Musk’s renewed criticism of South Africa’s telecommunications laws.

Musk recently again claimed that race rules are blocking the internet service provider owned by the businessman from operating in the country.

In 2025, Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi came under fire for his policy directive to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to allow companies like Starlink to operate without meeting certain Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements.

READ: Minister Malatsi's directive sparks political firestorm over BEE and Starlink

Bypassing the rules would mean companies need to invest in “equity equivalence” programmes as opposed to selling part of the business to a local black investor in accordance with B-BBEE laws.

Zibi has taken exception to Musk’s latest comments about South Africa’s domestic laws.
“That person cannot want to invest in South Africa and claim himself to be similar to other investors who want to invest in South Africa. And because money is involved, we must then accept whatever kind of person wants to invest here.

“We've got to have principles, we've got to have standards, and we must draw the line in our constitutional order. The second reason I don't think we must have Stalin here is that Elon Musk has used his platforms to spread lies, misinformation and disinformation, not only about South Africa, but to cause division in other parts of the world.”