The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications (PPCC) has invited the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to report on its readiness to implement the Electronic Communications (EC) Act. The report will be presented on 20 June.
The invitation comes amid media reports alleging that ICASA chairman Paris Mashile acted as a catalyst for much of the tensions that reportedly exist between ICASA councillors.
Several sources within the regulator, including those who criticise Mashile and those who defend him, have also told ITWeb there is a lack of leadership within the organisation.
One source suggests the PPCC should intervene in the dispute, and should perhaps consider removing Mashile from office. Mashile`s term of office, which started in July 2005, ends in 2010.
The source says the ICASA council considered a motion of no confidence against Mashile. However, that opportunity has now past, as the tenure of three of the councillors (Nadia Bulbulia, Lumko Mtimde and Mamodupi Mohlala) expires at the end of this month. The five new councillors, who are due to be appointed following the promulgation of the ICASA Amendment Bill, would have no basis to support such an action, he notes.
No intervention
Godfrey Oliphant, acting chairman of the PPCC, says the committee would not intervene in the dispute, as it does not involve itself in the day-to-day running of ICASA.
"If there are problems internally, the portfolio committee shall not interfere in those matters, unless they are reflected in a report brought to Parliament," he says.
He notes that in fulfilling its responsibility to make sure ICASA runs efficiently, the PPCC has approved the inclusion of a performance management system in the ICASA Amendment Bill that will be used to evaluate ICASA councillors.
The Department of Communications has also made it clear that allegations about tensions within the ICASA council are an internal matter that should be handled by the regulator.
"The crux of the matter is that ICASA is an independent authority and, as such, the department cannot interfere with its internal matters," says Albi Modise, the department`s director of communications.
Dene Smuts, a DA member of Parliament on the PPCC, says strengthening the ICASA council will hinge on making five genuinely strong appointments to the vacancies.
Mashile did not return calls seeking comment on the matter. However, ICASA has previously denied allegations of infighting.
ICASA has also, on numerous occasions, stressed its readiness to fulfil its mandate regarding the EC Act, as well as the ICASA Amendment Bill when both are promulgated.
Related story:
ICASA denies infighting claims
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