A spokesperson for the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has confirmed ICASA chairman Paris Mashile will take legal opinion regarding allegations that he is an incompetent slacker, who sleeps in his office during working hours.
This opinion will inform his decision on whether to take legal action against Shameen Naidoo, a former ICASA employee, whose exit report was a blistering indictment on Mashile`s performance as chairman since he took office in July 2005.
Meanwhile, a high-placed source within the regulator argues that the leaking of Naidoo`s exit report was just another volley in the vigorous, ongoing infighting between ICASA councillors.
The source says ICASA councillors are divided into cliques that have been fighting for years. The ending of term for three councillors at the end of June and the upcoming nominations for new councillors has precipitated a smear campaign.
The source says the councillors are involved in a campaign to damage Mashile`s reputation so that his performance management reports about the councillors, as required by the new ICASA Amendment Bill, are not taken seriously.
According to the source, the named councillors opposed Mashile`s appointment as chairman, and even informally lodged their disapproval with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications.
"They have undermined him for a long time, and they don`t want to report to him."
Allegations unsubstantiated
However, the ICASA council has rubbished the source`s claims that any councillor could approach the portfolio committee members to influence who should be appointed chairman or oppose a chairman`s appointment.
A member of parliament, who could not comment directly on the reported dispute, also insists that the source has the facts wrong.
ICASA councillor Nadia Bulbulia states that allegations reported by the media [about the chairperson`s competency and recent staff resignations] are grossly unfair and unjust and impact negatively on the regulator.
She and councillor Lumko Mtinde further state the ICASA council have worked well as a team.
"I have found the chairperson to be highly competent and always draw on his engineering and technical expertise," Bulbulia says.
Continuity at ICASA
Dene Smuts, a DA member of parliament and a member of the portfolio committee, notes current legislation allows for councillors whose term expires at the end of June to stay on for 45 days.
She says some of the members of the portfolio committee are relying on that provision to allow for the new law to come into force before embarking on the new appointment process, she says.
The ICASA council also insists they have taken measures to ensure there is continuity when councillors Bulbulia, Mtinde and Mamothupi Mohlala`s terms expire at the end of June.
"I have been appointed by two state presidents, accounted to two ministers, four parliamentary portfolio committee chairpersons and two ICASA chairpersons - it`s safe to say that I cannot be the only constant!" Bulbulia says.
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