Contrary to false rumours South Africa's broadcasting regulator Icasa will remain under the department of communications and will not be "switching" to report to the new department of telecommunications and postal services as has been recently alleged would be happening.
The new minister of communications, Faith Muthambi on Friday made it clear in a sitting of parliament's portfolio committee on communications that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa will report to the department of communications as president Jacob Zuma proclamated.
Recently rumours surfaced that although president Jacob Zuma said Icasa would resort under the department of communications, that it will be changed and that Icasa will report to the new department of telecommunications and postal services led by the former state security minister Siyabonga Cwele. That is not true.
Faith Muthambi stated that Icasa is staying with the department of communications and is not moving in its reporting to the new department of telecommunications and postal services.
"The president's announcement was very clear. So the proclamation is out. What is left is for the transfers of the functions of these other entities who were not mentioned by the president's announcement".
"We all agree that Icasa has been ineffective and inefficient. That's why now, with the president's announcement, it is to make sure that we deal with its institutional transformation. When Icasa was constituted in terms of South Africa's constitution (section 192)."
"When the president made the announcement, it was to align it with the provisions of the constitution".
"There's no confusion where Icasa is located," said Faith Muthambi.
