By Simon Nare
Non-profit organisation Sakeliga is taking the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to court over its decision to retain a 30% black ownership requirement for companies seeking communications licences, despite instructions from Communications Minister Solly Malatsi to consider alternative empowerment measures.
Sakeliga announced on Wednesday that it had filed an application in the Pretoria High Court seeking to have Icasa’s decision declared unconstitutional and invalid.
The organisation is challenging the regulator’s insistence that companies applying for licences to provide internet services, operate broadcasting services or manage network infrastructure must have at least 30% ownership by black people or historically disadvantaged groups.
In its decision on May 13, 2026, Icasa maintained that the ownership requirement should apply to all prospective licence holders, whether locally or foreign-owned, and that applicants failing to meet the threshold should not be granted licences.
Sakeliga argues that Icasa has no lawful basis
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