Dept of Communications accused of holding Icasa to ransom
The Independent Communications Authority (Icasa) has filed an urgent application at the High Court in Pretoria to compel the Department of Communications to release a portion of its annual funding.
Icasa has lashed out at the department, accusing it of holding the entity ransom over a dispute over its annual performance plan, which describes the proposed activities of Icasa for the coming year.
Icasa is supposed to receive over R400 million annually from the state .
The regulation authority says it hasn't received any undertaking from the department on the release of funds.
Acting chairman Keabetswe Modimoeng says the authority faces risk of not being able to meet its financial obligations.
"The situation is dire. I think this one is straight out. If the situation persists, water is busy flowing under the bridge. If the situation persists, we will absolutely be in no position to meet our financial obligations and that extents to serve providers, to salary payments and to meet all other financial commitments we have.
"This is not a bailout. We want to make that very clear, this is not a bailout."
According to Modimoeng, the dispute relates to a battle over Icasa's handling of licensing high-demand spectrum.
"The dispute is around 5G, to say we need to perhaps hold back a bit on the 5G issues.
"There seems to be some discomfort around the 5G incl in our APP communication. I think I can just put it that way. As to the actual details and to what extent is something that perhaps we will know in due course."
Modimoeng adds that the APP is not yet public knowledge.
"The APP is not yet public knowledge and it will, we know that in all the previous financial years, it will be communicated in due course once all the internal processes are done."
The department was not immediately available for comment.
The matter is expected to be heard in court soon.