Despite statements by the Department of Communications (DoC) that the future of embattled telecommunications group Telkom would be decided by the end of last year, the potential options for the South African group remained in the hands of Cabinet.

Cabinet was still considering the recommendations tabled by the DoC and would reveal its decision at an “appropriate time”, Communications Minister Dina Pule said in a parliamentary response released on Friday.

Pule last year was tasked with developing strategic solutions to turn the struggling firm around after Cabinet rejected a potential strategic deal wherein South Korean firm KT Corp offered to buy a 20% stake in the group.

The DoC indicated at the time that possible solutions could include other possible investment from government or other local or foreign direct investment.

“Uppermost in government’s thinking, however, is the fact that commercial viability and digital inclusion must coexist and be part of Telkom’s service delivery model,” Pule added in the parliamentary reply.

She commented that, as a majority shareholder, government aimed to “leverage the benefits of that asset and ensure that the return on investment brings true benefit to all shareholders”.

Meanwhile, defending her decision to eject four Telkom directors, through a changed proxy vote, at the company’s annual general meeting, in October, Pule said the vote was based on what the government deemed “appropriate and in the best interest of making sure that the State’s shareholding in Telkom is protected, grown and sustained going forward”.

The decision sparked speculation over the direction of government’s control in Telkom, particularly following an almost simultaneous mass exit of directors, including the resignation of its CEO Nombulelo Moholi.

The group has since appointed several new independent nonexecutive directors, bringing its total number of board members to 14.

“The department’s engagement with Telkom has always been within the legal frameworks of corporate governance. We invite anyone who has evidence of this political meddling to come forth or to report it to relevant authorities,” she stated.