Nominations for 3 Vacancies at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA): adopted

NOMINATIONS FOR THREE VACANCIES AT THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (ICASA): ADOPTED

Chairperson: Mr M Lekgoro (ANC)

Documents handed out:
None

SUMMARY
The Committee made their nominations, adjourned for a brief discussion, and then voted. The opposition parties questioned the legality of the process, and why the ANC did not prefer Mr Petrick. The Committee had received 39 applications and short-listed 10, and after discussion and voting, Messrs Cohen, Mashile and Masiza were recommended.

MINUTES
Mr MK Lekgoro (ANC) invited the parties to announce their nominations for three vacancies at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The 10 candidates had been short listed and made presentations to the Committee the previous week. Parties voted as follows:
Ms M Smuts (DA): G Parr, R Cohen and G Petrick
Mrs. A Van Wyk (NNP): R Cohen, G Petrick and Van Zyl
Ms SC Vos (IFP): R Cohen, G Petrick and G Parr
Mr RD Pieterse (ANC): Z Masiza, P Mashile and R Cohen

After these parties had announced their nominations, the meeting adjourned for 10 minutes to allow the members time to interrogate each other for their criteria. On return, the nominations proceeded as follows:
Mr LM Green (ACDP): G Petrick, R Cohen and Z Masiza

The Chair then asked if any parties would like to change their nominations. Mr Pieterse said that unfortunately the ANC could not find reason to change. Mr Green said all parties except the ANC had included candidates Cohen and Petrick. As Petrick was a serving councilor doing excellent work, he would like to know why the ANC had excluded him and whether it was a political decision.

Mr Lekgoro said that these questions were supposed to have been covered during the adjournment. Mr Green said that he hoped there would be agreement during voting, but if there was not, he hoped for debate. Mr Lekgoro said that the matter would be debated if all parties wanted that.

Ms Smuts asked whether the "law was satisfied" by the procedure the Committee was following. Mr Lekgoro thought so.

Ms Vos said that as there might be conflict of interest, the candidates should sign a document declaring that there was none. Mr Lekgoro said that he had no such form letter but that the law prevented conflict of interest, and if it was discovered, due legal process should be followed.

The Committee then voted for all 10 short-listed candidates. Candidates Cohen, Mashile and Masiza had the highest number of votes. All the ACDP, DA, IFP and NNP objected with five votes.

In answer to a question from Mr Green, Mr Lekgoro said that Parliament's Committee section would issue names. Mr Green clarified that other parties could make statements regarding the selections.

Mr Lekgoro then read the formal announcement to the National Assembly. The Committee had received 39 applications and short-listed 10 and after discussion and voting, the three candidates Cohen, Mashile and Masiza were recommended by the Committee.

The meeting was adjourned.