It is their democratic right to engage with members of Parliament, say lobbyists for the cellular network operators.
This follows flack from ANC MP Lewellyn Landers and deputy justice minister Johnny de Lange.
Earlier this week, during the National Assembly debate on the amendments to the Regulation of Interception and Provision of Communication-related Information Act (Rica), Landers made comments about the pressures the lobbyists allegedly brought to bear. The law has a direct impact on the cellular network operators' business models.
"It is totally unacceptable that we have members on both sides of the house acting as mouthpieces for the companies... they are here to protect their profits," Landers said.
Members of all three cellular operators' regulatory affairs departments were in the public gallery during the debate.
Landers and De Lange both mentioned the pressure the lobbyists had brought to bear and received nods of agreement from Fatima Cohan, chairperson of the justice committee.
The regulatory members of all the cellular operators took exception to the comments and, while they asked to remain anonymous, said they had brought no pressure to bear on the politicians.
"We sent letters and made enquiries [to the justice committee], but these were all ignored," one said.
Another lobbyist said: "On page one of the parliamentary Web site, it says people must engage with the parliamentarians to get their point of view across."
Vodacom group executive for communications Dot Field says: "Vodacom will continue to engage, or lobby, with Parliament as it is their role to listen and it is ours to present."
MTN says: "MTN believe it is their responsibility to follow the normal process in responding to draft legislation which is to formally make submissions to the relevant parliamentary portfolio committees.
"MTN responded to the draft Rica Bill by making numerous written submissions to the parliamentary portfolio committee in an effort to bring to the attention of the lawmakers the complications, challenges and possible adverse effects of the Bill.
"One of the contradictory effects of the [Rica] Bill that MTN raised is that government is promoting universal access. However, one of the sanctions in the Bill requires South African cellphone operators to register all subscribers within a 12-month period, otherwise be removed from the network."
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