CONTROVERSIAL CLAIMS AND PROVOCATIVE STATEMENTS
Solly Malatsi, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, has shockingly admitted that his department’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are a "mixed-bag", with some being well-run and others in dire need of reforms. This revelation has sparked controversy, with many questioning whether the minister’s department has the capability to effectively manage the country’s SOEs.
According to Malatsi, the biggest issue facing his department is the lack of stability in the leadership of these SOEs, with vacancies at board and senior management levels exacerbating the problem. "We’re going to dedicate a lot of time to establishing the core issues and bringing everyone to the same level," he claimed, but it remains to be seen whether his plans will be effective in addressing the problems facing these entities.
Malatsi also hinted at the possibility of public-private partnerships (PPPs) for some of the SOEs, citing the need to increase efficiency and competitiveness. However, his department’s track record in this regard has been mixed, with previous attempts at PPPs failing to yield significant results.
SHOCKING CLAIMS ABOUT SITA
In a scathing attack on the State IT Agency (SITA), Malatsi revealed that the entity has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement, with poor levels of service delivery and leadership instability further exacerbating the problems. "SITA is a ticking time bomb," he claimed, warning that if the entity is not reformed, it could have a devastating impact on government’s IT infrastructure.
MERGER PLANS IN DOUBT
The planned merger of Broadband Infraco (BBI) and Sentech has been left in limbo, with Malatsi revealing that the project has been delayed due to the high turnover of ministers within his department. However, he still believes that the merger is the right thing to do, citing the need to consolidate the two entities and create a more focused administration.
As the dust settles on his department’s various controversies, one thing is clear: Solly Malatsi has a tough road ahead of him if he is to restore stability and efficiency to his department’s SOEs. The clock is ticking, and the country’s digital infrastructure hangs in the balance.
