International media agencies using unlicensed broadcasting equipment outside a Pretoria hospital, where Nelson Mandela is believed to be treated, were issued with non-compliance warnings by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) yesterday.
ICASA spokesperson Jubie Matlou says international media agencies have been streaming into the country since news broke of Madiba's admittance to hospital. Mandela is today spending his sixth day in hospital after being admitted for a recurring lung infection.
"When we have international broadcasters coming into the country for events, such as the Twenty20 cricket or Afcon, we advise them to apply for a frequency licence and type approval, as they bring a whole lot of equipment, particularly wireless equipment," says Matlou. "They have to apply for a temporary licence to ensure there is no interference on frequencies used by local, licensed services."
Matlou says ICASA became aware of interference with frequencies in the Pretoria area yesterday, after which inspectors were sent out to issue the agencies with warnings. He says frequencies are continually monitored by ICASA, but noted there is a possibility that some complaints had also been received.
Matlou says ICASA would attend to the media agencies' applications for temporary licences today, but was unable to say when this will be finalised as "the extent of the problem has not yet been determined".
He could also not confirm whether the broadcasting agencies are allowed to use their equipment while their licences are being sorted out.
ICASA is expected to release a detailed statement on the matter this afternoon.
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