MTN/Telkom/ANC deal crumbles

This has certainly been an exciting week for politics in SA, with many left unsettled by the early support shown for Jacob Zuma in the run-up to the ANC`s succession race. Arguably, Thabo Mbeki`s camp must have been shaken by what is seen as a serious shift of power within the ruling party.

But, just as Thabo thought things couldn`t get much worse, ITWeb broke a story that his government has been involved in some dirty tricks within the telecoms sector. Granted, government has always been fiddling with telecoms, despite preaching liberalisation. However, its commitment and means to achieving liberalisation have been questionable. I mean, lets just look at the tool - Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri - that has been put in place to drive the effort.

Nonetheless, it has now emerged that MTN`s proposed purchase of some of Telkom`s assets was not only supported by government, but facilitated by the ANC. A party member spilt the beans that the ANC was "very involved" in the planning of the proposed merger, which would have given government a strategic advantage in the telecoms sector.

Now this is particularly bad. Something`s certainly rotten within the ANC, but who would even want to begin unpacking that mess.

However, what these revelations do show is that the ANC has no real intention of liberalising the sector and is looking to make a buck, or two, off telecoms (yeah, yeah I hear some of you yawning, because this is not a great secret).

Anyway, you gotta love the slimy, sleazy pimps who pass for politicians. And it is especially heart-warming to see these bottom-feeders fight, pulling the rug out from under each other when things fall apart.

The source who squealed on his ANC buddies, stated that some members within the party have been "unpleasantly surprised" by news that discussions between Telkom and MTN have broken down. What`s even more heart-warming are details that have emerged around the reasons for the collapse of the talks. It appears that government`s cosy relationship with labour is what bit it on the backside. Certain labour organisations have come forward to say they pulled the plug on the deal.

I bet Mbeki was also "unpleasantly surprised" when the whole mess was exposed, especially that it happened at a particularly unfortunate time. Tough being the head tool, I guess.

At least this means that Mbeki and Zuma now have something in common: both will be more careful when choosing their bedfellows in future, keeping in mind that sometimes a shower just won`t cut it.

And to those who have questioned the accuracy of the story, it is important to note that ITWeb does not have the legal resources of a Sunday Times, or a Mail and Guardian, hence we make damn sure of our facts.

On a lighter note, I was rather concerned to see that the South African National Defence Force has opened a hi-tech Peace Mission Training Centre, in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria, to better school its leadership cadre in the intricacies of diplomacy and reconciliation.

The intricacies of diplomacy and reconciliation... hmm... this is the army we`re talking about, right? What happened to good old-fashioned killing?

Now, I know that everything is so PC these days, but please! These guys are sounding more and more like a bunch of hippies from San Francisco, sitting around, smoking pot.

"Like, yeah man, peace, love and respect, that`s what we`re all about."

I sometimes miss the old days, the days before political correctness. Back then, the army knew how to attract real men. Remember the slogan: "Do you like sex and travel? Would you like to visit interesting places and meet interesting people, and kill them? Then join the army!"

I`m only kidding! I`m not into senseless killing, I`m all for peace and stuff. "Like, yeah groovy, dude. Hey, where`d that joint go?"

What these revelations do show is that the ANC has no real intention of liberalising the [telecommunications] sector and is looking to make a buck, or two, off telecoms.

Martin Czernowalow, news editor, ITWeb

It`s always interesting to watch the wheels come off a project when an effective and competent leader departs. It is seldom, especially in spheres of government, that an equally efficient and qualified person is readily available to step in and keep everything together.

This has again been demonstrated by the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBPN), which was going along happily until the resignation of project leader Douglas Cohen.

Cohen aggressively drove the project since its inception in February, and the city was on the verge of calling for demonstration networks to be rolled out by the short-listed bidders. Then Cohen left, and nothing was ever the same again.

Clearly, the project is now going nowhere and the city has done what all other state/government entities do in this case: it engaged in some light bondage and a bit of sadomasochism. Yes, the short-listed bidders have been gagged and will be whipped if they speak to the media.

This is sad, because, until now, the project seemed to be progressing well. Perhaps too well for something state-owned. Nonetheless, Cohen was one of the more lucid guys at the City of Joburg and it was always a pleasure to obtain comment from him.

But the man fell victim to the system. His parting words, as he left for the greener pastures of Accenture and (hopefully) a better salary, were: "I was basically fighting the machine, I got really tired. I was not getting the support I needed and it was affecting my personal life."

Sorry to hear that Doug, hope you have more time to relax and play golf these days.

This kind of reminds me of that old saying: "Working for this company is like screwing a hedgehog; one prick working against a thousand others."