ATC170825: Progress report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the filling of three vacancies in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 25 August 2017

Communications and Digital Technologies

Progress report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the filling of three vacancies in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 25 August 2017

 

The Portfolio Committee on Communications (the Committee), having considered the request from the Minister of Communications to fill two vacancies in the ICASA Council and a request by the Deputy Speaker to fill a vacancy that arose as a result of Mr Rubben Mohlaloga’s term expiring on 30 June 2017, reports as follows:

 

A letter was received from the Minister of Communications informing the National Assembly that the terms of office of Ms Nomvuyiso Batyi and Ms Katharina Pillay expired on 31 January 2017 and requesting the National Assembly to commence with the process of filling the vacancies.

 

Another letter was received from the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, dated 28 June 2017 advising the Committee of the upcoming vacancy of Mr Rubben Mohlaloga and requesting that this vacancy be filled together with the other two vacancies as it would be the most cost effective and time efficient manner to handle the appointment process.

 

On 2 June 2017, the Committee published an advert calling for persons to be nominated to serve in the ICASA Council. The advert closed on 30 June 2017 and the Committee received 117 nominations.

 

On 25 August 2017, the Committee met and unanimously agreed to shortlist and interview the following 15 candidates: Adv Cawekazi Mahlathi; Ms Natalie-Ann Delport; Dr Mashilo Boloka; Mrs Nomonde Gongxeka-Seopa; Mr Phosa Mashangoane; Mr Peter Hlapolosa; Mr Rubben Mohlaloga; Mr Thabo Makhakhe; Prof Shiela Onketse Mmusi; Ms Thembeka Semane; Ms Lulama Mokhobo; Mr Ashraf Patel; Mr Andrew Pheto; Mr Themba Phiri; and Ms Kate Skinner.

 

Interviews will be held on a date yet to be determined by the Committee.