Just as one legal case around the bidding process for the second network operator has been dropped, another one may be in the pipeline, this time initiated by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA).
Business Day reports that ICASA has begun a legal probe into communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri`s decision to set up a committee to judge new applications for the licence. ICASA has been excluded.
The newspaper quotes ICASA chairman Mandla Langa as saying that the matter would undergo "rigorous legal scrutiny". Legal steps could follow if there were a contravention. Otherwise the authority would seek to be involved in the adjudication process.
Langa was unavailable for comment this morning. His assistant says he will be in deliberations all day.
ITWeb reported yesterday that Goldleaf Trading has dropped its legal challenge to the process of assembling the second operator and will accept an invitation to negotiate with government for a stake in the second fixed-line telephone company.
Both Goldleaf and Optis Telecommunications` previous bids were dismissed as unsuitable.
The new process sees the minister take personal responsibility to find the right partner and negotiations with interested parties will take place behind closed doors.
Related stories:
Goldleaf drops court bid
Goldleaf confident in legal challenge
D-day for SNO bidders
SNO suitors rejected
Share
