Issued by: GCIS
11th May 2000
CAPE TOWN - Communications Minister Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri on Thursday welcomed the proclamation by President Thabo Mbeki of the Independent Communications Authority Act, paving the way for the merger of the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA) and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). The Act -coming into effect today - allows for the establishment of a new regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
Said Dr Matsepe-Casaburri: "I welcome the signing of the Bill into law by the President. With rapid technological developments and challenges of convergence in the fields of broadcasting and telecommunications facing the industry, the merger between SATRA and IBA was inevitable."
The law provides for the appointment of seven councilors by the President on the recommendation of Parliament. In terms of ensuring that the authority adheres to accountability, a number of provisions have been amended by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications to ensure that the authority functions in line with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999. This entails the chief executive officer being designated as the accounting officer, taking responsibility for money appropriated by Parliament to finance the authority.
"I wish to thank both regulatory authorities for work done thus far and want to reassure staff that the merger will be dealt in a highly responsible manner. The law ensures that those affected by restructuring will be in no worse-off materially than before the merger," said the Minister.
ISSUED: BRIAN SOKUTU
Ministry Spokesperson
CELL: 083-327-3229