Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri says there has been no change in the status of South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA) chairman Nape Maepa.
In a statement issued yesterday, the minister says nothing has changed since Maepa's recusal from the adjudication of the third cellular licence, despite reports that he again intends to be part of the judging panel.
"The minister finds this demand [to be part of the process] is nothing but a move to scuttle the process further, as legally it raises enormous problems," the statement reads. "For foreign investment and the second national [fixed-line] operator to thrive, what the nation needs at the moment is stability in the telecommunications industry."
Insiders say Maepa told SATRA councillors on Friday that he is once again part of the selection process that will culminate in a recommendation on the preferred third cellular operator to Matsepe-Casaburri.
Maepa withdrew from the decision in February because of indirect prior dealings with a company involved in the bid. At that time, Matsepe-Casaburri said the move did not imply any guilt, but was meant to clear any perception of wrongdoing.
Legal opinion is divided. One expert says because Maepa withdrew voluntarily, it is possible he can choose to become part of the process again, while others say recusal from such a panel cannot be overturned.
Meanwhile, Maepa has not been nominated to the council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, which is to assume SATRA's duties during July.
SATRA earlier said that a final recommendation on the third cell licence preferred bidder would be made by the end of June.
Neither SATRA nor Maepa could immediately be reached for comment.
Related stories:
Further third cellular licence drama unfolds
SATRA chair quits third licence hearings
Department to ignore SATRA's decision
Share