ICASA fears information leaks

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 21 Jul 2006

Councillors who have completed their term with the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) should not be allowed to join the ICT sector immediately, as they could provide their new employers with "insider" knowledge.

This could give private companies a competitive advantage over the regulator, says ICASA chairman Paris Mashile.

Mashile says when people in the ICT sector speak about the need for ICASA to act with independence, they tend to focus on the potential of government interference. However, he notes that interference could also come from the private sector, with companies using information gained from former ICASA councillors.

"Councillors have short tenures and then join the private sector, which could mean their potential employers could attempt to influence the regulatory decisions of ICASA in their favour," he says.

Mashile suggests the terms of employment of ICASA councillors should include an undertaking from government that once the term is completed, a councillor will be deployed within government to ensure a cooling off period.

"Government can deploy such individuals as ambassadors to countries such as Rwanda, thus removing them from access to local ICT players," he says.

Mashile emphasises the ICASA council is sworn to make decisions without fear or favour, as it is protected by the constitution, as well as mandated by the ICASA Amendment Act. The regulator should be seen as independent in its execution of its mandate, free of commercial and government interference, he says.

Haemorrhaging staff

Mashile says the commencement of the Electronic Communications Act and the ICASA Amendment Act presents the regulator with the opportunity for re-invigoration.

The council also aims to improve on its leadership, making the organisation a place where employees look forward to coming to work, he says. He adds that the regulator is "haemorrhaging" staff, referring to the recent loss of all GMs and several senior managers.

Part of the reason is the organisation is a de facto training ground for people in the ICT sector, Mashile says. In addition, ICASA salaries do not compete favourably with large companies in the sector.

For example, Telkom senior managers earn almost twice as much as ICASA senior managers, he notes.

To develop a staff retention strategy, the regulator has contracted a human resources company to compile and analyse all employee exit reports dating back to when the organisation was formed, he says.