WeeklySA_AdminPRESSURE: Civic body describes decision by kingdom’s government as shameful…
By WSAM Reporter
The decision by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) to grant a ten-year licence to Starlink Lesotho, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to operate a satellite internet network in Lesotho, was a betrayal – a shameful sell-out by a government that disregarded the valid objections echoed by several keyholders in the local communications sector.
‘’ By proceeding with this decision, the LCA has also compromised the integrity and credibility of the regulatory process’’, said Kananelo Boloetse, coordinator of Section Two, a civic organization.
The reaction to the LCA’s decision followed an announcement by Prime Minister Samuel Matekane earlier this month that his government would remove barriers to US investment in the midst of a tariff onslaught.
Early this month, USA President Donald Trump, imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho — the highest among all affected countries — threatening up to 12 000 jobs in factories that export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). He later paused the 50% tariff for 90 days. But this still leaves in place a 10% tariff that came into effect on 5 April.
The LCA last week announced that its board of directors had approved Starlink’s application to provide satellite internet services across the country.
Boloetse lashed at the LCA’s decision describing it as a betrayal – a shameful sell-out by a government that appeared increasingly willing to place foreign corporate interests above the democratic will and long-term developmental needs of the people of Lesotho.
‘’ The decision was made despite Section Two’s well documented opposition echoed by several key stakeholders in the communications sector who raised serious and legitimate concerns. The major concern was that Starlink Lesotho is 100 percent foreign owned.’’
Boloetse said this should have weighed heavily in a licensing process designed to safeguard national interests and promote inclusive local participation. Existing telecom companies in Lesotho had substantial local ownership.
‘’ At this critical juncture, while Section Two continues to seek further information regarding this deeply concerning development, we express our profound dismay at the decision by the LCA to grant a licence to Starlink to operate a satellite network and provide internet services in the country.’’
The LCA, however, said the decision was a milestone in Lesotho’s digital transformation and a commitment to building a competitive, transparent and innovative communications sector.
“The approval of the operating licence clears the path for the Authority to finalise the terms and conditions under which Starlink Lesotho will provide satellite internet services to individuals and businesses across Lesotho.”
Boloetse accused the LCA of not even consulting them after submitting their formal opposition to the granting of the licence.
The LCA however said all comments from public consultations had been shared with Starlink Lesotho, “which responded to each submission”. The Authority had then compiled a comprehensive report for final deliberation by its Board.
Speaking to GroundUp last week, LCA Public Affairs Manager, Mothepane Kotele emphasised the importance of public participation. “The LCA has just finished reviewing the comments and is currently engaging with those who contributed to understand the context.”
Boloetse also referred to a report by an American publication that claimed Lesotho authorities had given prior assurances to the United States government that Starlink would be licensed by 15 April 2025.
“This revelation exposes a deeply troubling lack of transparency and suggests that key decisions affecting our national communications infrastructure may have been predetermined and subject to foreign influence. It calls into question the independence of the LCA and the commitment of our government to the principles of good governance and national sovereignty.”
MIRROR Briefs
OMOTOSO VICTIMS ANGUISHED
A group of women who had accused Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso of rape and sexual abuse, among others, have called for a proper investigation into his acquittal.
The Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Gqeberha has set out a list of disconcerting actions by the prosecutor in the Omotoso case that all contributed to a decision by Judge Irma Schoeman to find the Nigerian pastor and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, not guilty.
Omotoso has been in jail awaiting trial since 2017 after his dramatic arrest at the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha in that year. A drawn-out court case followed that was marred by allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. While Judge Schoeman said that it was not that she did not believe most of the complainants, she said the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
During the media briefing, one of the women, identified as Lerato, read a statement on behalf of all the women who testified against Omotoso.
“We have mixed emotions about the verdict. We are disappointed and upset but not dismayed. This is our truth, and, unfortunately, we have to continue with our lives with no justice while the perpetrator walks free. We will be louder than before so that other victims can come forward.” – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
50 000 travel between SA-Maputo
The Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, says more than 50 000 people travelling between South Africa and Mozambique have been cleared so far.
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said South Africa was bearing the brunt of illegal migration and that its neighbours were not committing enough resources to address the problem.
“We do engage with our colleagues in neighbouring countries — whether it is Mozambique, Zimbabwe or Lesotho — but the reality is our colleagues don’t necessarily put in effort in addressing issues of illegal migration,” Masiapato said.
“They don’t allocate many resources to it, and understandably so, because it does not affect them directly. We continue to engage, but the problem persists.” – Fullview
R8 BILLION CONTRACT CANCELLED.
The Gauteng High Court has set aside an R8 billion contract between the state rail operator and a company that’s now a unit of Wabtec Corp for 233 diesel locomotives, part of a long-running crackdown against corruption in government institutions.
The decision comes seven years after President Cyril Ramaphosa first referred claims of graft at logistics company Transnet, for investigation with the firm and the Special Investigating Unit — a government agency that probes state corruption — calling the judgment “momentous” in a joint statement.
In 2014, Transnet awarded four contracts to procure 1 064 locomotives that cost R54 billion. A South African panel that spent four years probing graft through 2022 found Transnet fell victim to racketeering during former President Jacob Zuma’s rule, making it the “primary site” of state capture, a local term to describe how private companies worked with government and state-company officials to funnel funds from these entities.
Ramaphosa pledged to end corruption that resulted in the theft of more than R500 billion from state companies and government departments during Zuma’s nine-year rule. Officials are now focused on reviving an economy whose growth has averaged less than one percent annually over the past decade and restoring public finances after years of corruption, mismanagement and bailouts of struggling state-owned companies. – Fullview
BOMBING OF GAZA CONDEMNED
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South Africa has condemned the ongoing bombing of civilian targets in Gaza. The latest incident involved a missile strike by Israeli forces on the al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza. The attack led to the evacuation of many wounded individuals, leaving Gaza critically short of emergency medical care.
“South Africa joins the global condemnation of the bombing, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,” Dirco said in a statement. According to the department, Israel has bombed, burned and destroyed at least 35 hospitals in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023.
“Attacks on health facilities, medical personnel and patients are considered a war crime under the IV Geneva Convention of 1949.”
The attack on the Al Ahli Arab Hospital comes in the wake of the killing of 15 humanitarian personnel in Gaza. This included eight health workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, one staff member from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and six members of the Palestinian Civil Defence.
“Deliberate attacks on medics and humanitarian workers are prohibited by international law and constitute war crimes. First responders, like civilians and other non-combatants, are never legitimate targets.“ – SAnews
