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It was reported today that the Universal Service and Access Agency (Usaasa), which is managing South Africa’s migration to digital broadcasting, is being investigated for alleged financial mismanagement to the tune of R29 million.

This is another blow to the poor, who are already expected to bear the brunt of the cost of the digital migration. The total cost of the migration is projected to be R3.5 billion.

Last week, during a meeting of the communications portfolio committee, the Department of Communications revealed that it has known since 2004 that a simple converter exists, at the cost of just R350 per unit, to allow poorer households to continue to watch TV after the digital migration process is complete.

And yet, inexplicably, the Department favours a R700 converter to perform the same function.

With government subsidisation, the R700 converter will cost every poor household R250. The simple converter, on the other hand, would cost each poor household nothing.

The simple converter would also cost government less because there will be less to pay out in subsidies to the 5 million poorest households. It is estimated that going for the more expensive option will come at an extra cost of R3.5 billion to the public purse.

I have already written to Minister Roy Padayachee to request that he make public his department’s rationale for choosing an option that will unnecessarily hit the pockets of the poor. I will also ensure that these corruption allegations against Usaasa are fully investigated, and that the money is recovered.