STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams / Image via GCIS

DA: Ndabeni-Abrahams showing ‘middle finger’ to Parliament

The matter stems from Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams’ refusal to fill all the vacancies at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, citing a lack of experience and skills

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams / Image via GCIS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is up in arms over Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams’ handling of the appointment of councilors to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, and has called on parliamentary speaker Thandi Modise to institute disciplinary proceedings against her.

Five individuals have been appointed and their names are: Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, Yolisa Kedama, Dr Charles Lewis, Peter Zimri and Luthando Mkumathela.

The minister was supposed to nominate six people to serve on the board but only selected the five – out of the ten names that were shortlisted, as per regulations cited in the Icasa act.

“While this may seem a minor infraction, it is not. It is now the second time the Minister has decided to override the power of the National Assembly regarding appointments to the ICASA Council”, said DA MP Phumzile Van Damme in a statement on Monday, 24 August 2020.

Earlier in July, the communications portfolio committee unanimously voted to reject the minister’s decision to not fill all the vacancies at the Council. Ndabeni-Abrahams had said some of the candidates did not have the necessary skills and experience.

DA: ‘Princess Stella’ must be dealt with

Van Damme said Ndabeni-Abrahams act of defiance should not be taken lightly.

“That the Minister have now only appointed five, and not the six as per the decision of National Assembly is a brazen middle finger at Parliament, and must be dealt with harshly”, she added.

Ndabeni-Abrahams has not only violated the principles of the Constitution, the ICASA Act but also two additional laws governing the conduct of Ministers – the Executive Members’ Ethics Code and the Powers and Privileges Act, she further said.

The party’s Chief Whip, Natasha Mazzone will be raising the matter with Modise to ensure that its dealt with.

The DA MP said the minister has, throughout her term, demonstrated that she did not believe that the law applies to her – citing her handling of the embattled SABC as well as the Post Office Board.

“We trust that the Speaker will deal with this matter expeditiously and the harshest sanction possible is handed down to stop ‘Princess Stella’, as she has described herself”, Van Damme concluded.