Icasa ignored pleas to hold off on spectrum auction, minister Siyabonga Cwele tells MPs
The department is seeking a court interdict, but Icasa’s Rubben Mohlaloga says Icasa’s mandate is derived from the Constitution, five acts and government policies
THE Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has gone ahead and issued spectrum licences despite several attempts by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services to dissuade it, the minister, Siyabonga Cwele, said in Parliament Tuesday.Cwele said Icasa had told the department in consultations that it had taken an administrative decision to issue the licences and this decision could be reviewed only by a court.The minister has gone to court seeking an interdict to prevent Icasa from proceeding with the auction of the licences.The case is due to be heard in the High Court in Pretoria next month.Cwele told members of Parliament's portfolio committee on telecommunications and postal services that it was "quite unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation". It was regrettable that public money was being spent on legal action, he said.The pending court case limited his ability to discuss with MPs the issue of spectrum, which is dealt with in a White Paper on ...
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