'We'll never allow it': EFF vows to 'stop' Starlink in SA
Musk has repeatedly slammed the transformative legislation as a 'racist law', he claims discriminates against him as he is 'not black'.
Addressing parliament on Friday, 11 July, EFF spokesperson Sinawe Thambo rejected Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi's plan to introduce equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) as an alternative to transformative legislation like BEE.
He said: 'This is a proposal we've objected to because the so-called alignment would require an amendment to legislation. And can't be achieved through a ministerial policy directive.' Elon Musk's plan to launch Starlink in South Africa has been met by heavy opposition.
Images via X: @starlink
Referring to Starlink creator Elon Musk, Thambo continued: 'We will never allow Starlink, which has weaponised misinformation and captured the White House, to erode US and South African diplomatic relations in order to ease business access in South Africa.
'We view that as economic and diplomatic terrorism. Even if Starlink were to meet equity equivalence requirements, there's a security threat that it poses. That means it must never be allowed to operate in South Africa. And we will never allow it to do so'.
In May, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi gazetted a policy direction for his department on EEIPs, which are considered 'alternatives' to transformative legislation.
Without mentioning Starlink, the minister claimed that the policy would 'attract investment,' specifically in operating licensing.
The minister revealed that current legislation for foreign investments 'did not allow companies to contribute to transformation goals in ways other than traditional ownership'.
Last month, Business Day reported that Starlink, which falls under SpaceX, is looking to invest over R2 billion in South Africa as part of its prospective deal to operate in the country.
The internet satellite company will reportedly finance infrastructure to support the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is made up of 16 countries.
The move is thought to be a way to 'work around' local BEE policies, which require foreign investors to hold 30% of the local shares.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
'He acted decisively': Ndlozi supports Ramaphosa's decision amid criticism
Opposition parties including the EFF, ActionSA, DA, GOOD Party, ATM and Build One SA have rejected Ramaphosa's decision. The EFF said Ramaphosa should've fired Mchunu instead of placing him on special leave. 'This so-called 'special leave' is a cowardly deflection, designed to shield a corrupt minister whose involvement in organised crime has been laid bare by Mkhwanazi,' EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said. Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane said the move was not enough. 'We have had enough commissions of inquiry. I believe Mchunu should have been fired and the other ministers who have lied to parliament. This was a missed opportunity,' he said. The DA said it would not allow another commission of inquiry that would take years to yield results. 'These allegations provided the president with an opportunity to show bold and firm leadership,' DA leader John Steenhuisen said. 'Instead, he has again outsourced executive responsibility to a commission and South Africans have grown cynical of talk shops, task teams and commissions which they see as buying time and avoiding accountability. 'The country cannot afford another elaborate filing cabinet of findings that gathers dust while the politically connected escape justice.' Social media users have also expressed disapproval of Ramaphosa's decisions. Here are more reactions from X:
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa's taxpayers burdened by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's suspension
In a move that caught many commentators by surprise, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting Minister of Police. Image: Independent Media The suspension of embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will further cost taxpayers due to double pay. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed an executive outsider to hold the fort as acting police minister. Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Professor Firoz Chachalia as acting police minister, effective August, while Mchunu remains on paid leave. Mchunu will be taking a leave of absence from his official duties following serious allegations levelled against him by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya of corruption, political interference, and drug cartel involvement during a media briefing last Sunday. Central to the controversy is the disbandment of the political killings task team, the freezing of posts for crime intelligence, which has left KZN with vacant positions, among others. In response to the announcement by Ramaphosa, Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga will establish and chair a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. Mchunu on Monday welcomed the decision and expressed his full support for the process. "I welcome and respect the President's decision and pledge my commitment to the process. Honour and integrity are the virtues I personally subscribe to and which we all need to make efforts to uphold. I stand ready to respond to the accusations against me and account to the citizens of the Republic, fully and honestly so," Mchunu said. However, EFF national spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, criticised the appointment, saying that it would further burden taxpayers. "The taxpayers will pay for Mchunu's vacation and time off to go and consolidate his associates in the syndicates exposed by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi," he said. Thambo also questioned the constitutional validity of Cachalia's appointment, arguing that Section 91 (3) (c) of the Constitution does not apply to the appointment of an acting minister. "The President of the Republic is therefore either surrounded by incompetent advisors, legally and otherwise, or he is surrounded by advisors so cunning that they have weaponised our Constitution to enhance ANC patronage and defend the corrupt," said Thambo. "The EFF is appalled by the decision of President Cyril Ramaphosa to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on 'special leave' instead of removing him entirely from his position. This so-called 'special leave' is a cowardly deflection, designed to shield a corrupt minister whose involvement in organised crime has been laid bare by Mkhwanazi." uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Ramaphosa had had an opportunity to take South Africa into confidence and to deal with these issues decisively. 'Instead, he calls for a commission of inquiry, and he expects South Africa to be patient when people are dying on a daily basis,' Ndhlela said. Serving as acting police minister is a commitment for Cachalia, a Wits University law professor and former Gauteng Community Safety MEC. Cachalia, said: "I'm still wrapping my head around what the priorities need to be." He believes the focus should be on "the effectiveness of the police in dealing with crime, particularly those that have a strong impact on communities." Ramaphosa announced the appointment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe Mchunu's alleged interference in police work and is instructed to deliver its preliminary report within three months and its full report within six months. Ramaphosa said the allegations against Mchunu, if not addressed, would have a negative impact on the country. Meanwhile, high office bearers within Ramaphosa's Cabinet have revealed that Mathale was angry at being overlooked to take over from Mchunu. Mathale has been the deputy police minister since former president Jacob Zuma's tenure. 'The question as to why comrade president (Ramaphosa) has appointed an outsider remains unknown because Mathale has been in the game for a long time… he has been overlooked because he has since been known as a Zuma person. 'It's a little strange, really, as to why it was not automatic that either Polly Boshielo or Cassel Mathale had not taken over,' the source said. [email protected]
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Central African Republic delays election for the 6th time since 2022
The Central African Republic (CAR) has postponed its August 2025 local elections to December, causing ongoing tensions, opposition boycott calls, and deepening mistrust in the electoral process. At a meeting of the Strategic Committee on 11 July 2025, Prime Minister Félix Moloua confirmed the postponement. Furthermore, the presidential and parliamentary votes scheduled for December 2025 will now coincide with the elections. The Central African Republic has not held a local election since 1988, and multiple postponements have occurred since 2022. The National Elections Authority (ANE) brought up issues with technology and budget deficits. ANE failed to finish the electoral register by the 29 May 2025 deadline. The administration was unable to gather the electorate by the decree's deadline of 4 June 2025. A United Nations (UN) expert, Yao Agbetse, expressed concern about serious issues impacting ANE operations. In addition, election funding only covers local elections; it does not cover the costs of presidential and legislative campaigns. Furthermore, staff deployment inaccuracy and contracting delays have seriously hampered the preparations. The opposition alliance, BRDC (Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution), has suggested talks with President Touadéra and called for a comprehensive overhaul of the electoral authority. To increase transparency, Touadéra started biometric voter registration in 2024. UN experts and Security Council briefings indicate calls for 'urgent institutional reform' and improved preparations ahead of elections planned for December 2025. As of mid-2025, several registration centres had remained closed due to insecurity, and the electoral register had not been finalised in multiple prefectures, according to UN expert Yao Agbetse. The BRDC criticised ANE, questioning its ability to manage the electoral process and calling for its restructuring. The rebel leaders Ali Darass and Sembe Bobo formally dissolved their armed factions on 10 July 2025. They pledged to promote reconciliation during a ceremony officiated by President Touadéra. According to the UN, elections are crucial to preserving peace and establishing a democratic government. The Central African Republic continues to rank among the world's poorest nations despite its wealth of mineral resources. It is recommended that international partners increase their backing for reliable electoral procedures. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
