Issued by: GCIS
28 July 2000
Communications Minister Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri has today expressed disappointment at the judgment by the Pretoria High Court, agreeing to grant Nextcom an order to review the process to award the country's third cellular.
This interdicts the Minister from taking any action in granting the licence, before the review court takes a decision.
"The much-awaited judgment which would have paved the way for me to announce the winning bidder, has scuppered the process, sending a negative signal to foreign and domestic investors considering South Africa as a preferred investment destination," said Dr Matsepe-Casaburri.
In her affidavit, the Minister indicated that she has several options open to her following the recommendation by the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. These included:
a. Granting the licence.
b. Not granting it.
c. Granting it with conditions.
The Minister has always maintained that the court challenge, which sought to prevent her from making the decision on who should be awarded the third cellular licence, was premature. She will be consulting her legal advisors on options available to her.
ISSUED: BRIAN SOKUTU
Ministry Spokesperson
CELL: 083-327-3229