Parliamentary Correspondent
Communications & digital technologies minister Solly Malatsi says full state ownership of some entities in his portfolio is no longer sustainable as fiscal constraints place pressure on the department and its entities.
In delivering his budget vote speech to the portfolio committee on communications & digital technologies on Tuesday, Malatsi said the department’s focus is on unlocking faster, cheaper and more reliable internet, particularly for poor South Africans in rural areas.
He said the department’s allocation for the 2026/27 financial year is R2.55bn, of which R1.75bn will be transferred to portfolio entities. Icasa will receive R505m, the Film and Publication Board R112m, the Post Office R595m for the universal postal obligation and the SABC R234m.
Malatsi said the budget constraints are clear and have a serious effect on the ability of the department and its entities to deliver on their mandate. However, he said, it could no longer be used to explain poor performance.
