South African opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) is putting pressure on the government to complete the National Development Plan, following its failure marked by the return request of public funds.
Butch Steyn, shadow deputy minister of communications at the DA, wrote to the chairperson of the portfolio committee on communications, Eric Kholwane, yesterday (Wednesday) to demand a new broadband launch strategy in light of the recent failure.
Sentech, the state owned signal-distributor, requested fund returns worth ZAR500 million (US$56.2 million), Business Day Live reported on Wednesday.
HumanIPO reported earlier this week on Sentech’s return of spectrum to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
This, according to the DA, follows the government’s failure to present a strategy in time.
Pule was once again blamed for not taking her responsibility with regards to the proposed deadlines.
“Communications Minister Dina Pule must take responsibility and ensure that a strategy is designed and rolled out as a matter of urgency,” Butch said.
Pule’s spokesperson, Siyabulela Qoza, responded by carrying over the minister’s encouragement of public participation,News24 reported.
“This country’s plan for broadband will bring South Africa closer to the digital future and digital economy that is envisaged in the National Development Plan.”
The Department of Communications (DoC) has opened the matter to public submissions with regards to the National Broadband Policy, until May 3.
Provincial roadshows thereafter are planned to make South Africans aware of the awaited internet access nationwide, planned to be completed by 2020.
Steyn remains positive that 70 per cent of the Western Cape can be connected to the network by the end of the year.
HumanIPO reported last month on the failure of the provincial internet equipment project, Gauteng Online, aiming to supply schools with internet, in the process of retendering.
