The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has established a Council Committee to determine the impact that ongoing loadshedding is having on South Africa’s electronic communications, broadcasting and postal services sectors.

This followed the termination of the National State of Disaster on the Impact of Severe Electricity Supply Constraints by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng on April 5.

Initially declared on February 9, 2023, the State of Disaster was a necessary response to the impact of critical levels of loadshedding on the economy, with government adopting wide-ranging regulations which set out the responsibilities of the different organs of the State to mitigate the impact, prevent the escalation of electricity supply constraints and avert a national emergency.

“Consequently, all regulations and directions made in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, pursuant to the declaration of the National State of Disaster, were repealed with immediate effect,” said Icasa acting chairperson councillor Yolisa Kedama, noting that the establishment of the committee also followed the outcomes of an Icasa-led virtual consultation workshop, in response to the State of Disaster declaration, which highlighted several concerns from the stakeholders.

The newly established Council Committee will now lead the assessment of the effects of ongoing disruptions to electricity supply on the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, working closely with the affected stakeholders in the industry and identify potential regulatory interventions that fall within the authority's purview.

“The authority believes that workable solutions can be identified through collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ameliorate the impact of loadshedding on the ICT sector, the economy and on the people of the country.

“Through the establishment of this committee, the authority looks forward to working with government, the sector and industry stakeholders to find practical solutions to mitigate the impact of loadshedding on the ICT sector,” Kedama continued.

Icasa will publish a notice to stakeholders once it has finalised its internal consideration of the scope of its regulatory process in response to the electricity crisis.