ATC151103: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the filling of five vacancies in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 3 November 2015

Communications and Digital Technologies

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the filling of five vacancies in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 3 November 2015
 

The Portfolio Committee on Communications (the Committee) considered two letters from the Minister of Communications:- 

 

1.         informing the Assembly that the terms of office of Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) councillors Mr William Currie and Mr Joseph Lebooa will expire on 30 September 2014 and the terms of office of Mr William Stucke and Ms Ntombizodwa Ndhlovu on 31 October 2014; and

 

2.         informing the Assembly that she accepted the resignation of Dr Marcia Socikwa, a

councillor of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), with effect from 31 January 2015.

 

The Committee advertised the call for nominations of persons to serve in the ICASA Council and subsequently received and considered 85 nominations.

 

On 17 March 2015, the Committee adopted the following names as the Subcommittee to shortlist and recommend appointments:  (1) Hon JC Moloi-Moropa (Chairperson and ANC member); (2) Hon G Davis (DA); (3) Hon M Ndlozi (EFF); (4) Hon D Tsotetsi (ANC); (5) Hon M Tseli (ANC); (6) Hon M Kekana (ANC); and (7) Hon W Madisha (COPE). Hon G Davis (DA) was subsequently replaced Hon V van Dyk (DA).

 

On 5 May 2015, the Subcommittee recommended to the Portfolio Committee that the following 12 candidates be shortlisted for the interview process: (1) Mr Diratsagae Maoke; (2) Mr Keabetswe Modimoeng; (3) Mr Lance Rothschild; (4) Mr Lumko Mtimde; (5) Mr Paris Mashile; (6) Mr Peter Hlapolosa; (7) Mr Peter Zimri; (8) Mr Sello Molefe; (9) Mr Thamsanqa Ntenteni; (10) Mr Yengwayo Kutta; (11) Ms Botlenyana Mokhele; and (12) Adv Dimakatso Qocha.

 

On 2 June 2015, the Subcommittee interviewed all the above-mentioned candidates with the exception of Mr Sello Molefe and Mr Lance Rothschild, who withdrew from the process.

 

The Committee then recommended to the House that the following eight (8) names be sent to the Minister in order to fill five (5) vacancies in the ICASA Council: (1) Ms Botlenyana Mokhele; (2) Adv Dimakatso Qocha; (3) Mr Lumko Mtimde; (4) Mr Thamsanqa Ntenteni; (5) Mr Yengwayo Kutta; (6) Mr Peter Zimri; (7) Mr Keabetswe Modimoeng; and (8) Mr Paris Mashile.

 

The DA objected to the inclusion of Mr Lumko Mtimde and Mr Thamsanqa Ntenteni.

 

The report of the Committee was considered by the House on Tuesday, 23 June 2015 and following an objection regarding Mr Ntenteni as one of the recommended candidates, the report was subsequently referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

 

On 3 November 2015, the Subcommittee met to consider the referral by the House. After the corrections were effected through the State Security Agency (SSA) on the personnel security checks for Mr Ntenteni, the Subcommittee recommended to the Committee that Mr Ntenteni’s name be removed from the list of recommended candidates for appointment.

 

The Committee recommendations will therefore address four (4) ICASA Council vacancies that the Minister has to fill.

 

The Committee will advertise two (2) other vacancies in the ICASA Council as a result of the removal of Mr Ntenteni from the recommended list of candidates and because of a vacancy that arose as a result of the former Chairperson’s term of office coming to an end in June 2015.

 

Therefore, the Committee recommends to the House that the following seven (7) names be sent to the Minister in order to fill four (4) vacancies in the ICASA Council: (1) Ms Botlenyana Mokhele; (2) Adv Dimakatso Qocha; (3) Mr Lumko Mtimde; (4) Mr Yengwayo Kutta; (5) Mr Peter Zimri; (6) Mr Kaebetswe Modimoeng; and (7) Mr Paris Mashele.

 

The DA objected to the name of Mr Lumko Mtimde based on his participation in the Media Tribunal discussions, and subsequently due to his alleged political affiliation.

 

 

Report to be considered.