EFF says won't allow Starlink in SA, calls company a security threat
Parties again voiced their objection to Starlink during the communication and digital technologies budget debate following its tabling by Minister Malatsi on Friday.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Official SpaceX Photos
CAPE TOWN - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it won’t allow Starlink to enter the South African market, calling the satellite internet company a security threat.
The party also repeated its objection to new regulations by Minister Solly Malatsi to allow equity equivalence for multinational information and communications technology (ICT) sector global players.
Equity equivalence is investing in other forms of transformation, instead of companies offering a 30% stake to local black investors.
READ: Starlink plans R2bn investment to bypass BEE regulations and switch on service in SA
Parties again voiced their objection to Starlink during the communication and digital technologies budget debate following its tabling by Malatsi on Friday.
EFF Member of Parliament Sinawo Thambo said amending BEE regulations on local ownership can’t be done through a policy directive by the minister.
Malatsi stated that the regulations are to align ICT sector codes and broader transformation laws.
“This is a proposal we’ve objected to because the so-called alignment would require an amendment to legislation and can’t be achieved through a ministerial policy directive,” said Thambo.
He added that the directive was designed to allow the likes of the Elon Musk-owned Starlink to operate in the country, and this can’t be allowed.
“Even if Starlink were to meet equity equivalence requirements, there’s a security threat that it poses that must never be allowed to operate in South Africa, and we will never allow it.”
The African National Congress (ANC)’s Khusela Diko also added her opposition, saying multinational platforms like Starlink can’t be allowed to dictate the country’s digital reality.