The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) vowed to continue opposing, in Parliament and in court, any introduction of Elon Musk's satellite Internet constellation Starlink in South Africa, which it said is “not compliant” with the laws of the country.

The party expressed satisfaction with Tuesday’s Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies meeting, which saw many political parties reject Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi’s proposed policy direction that would open the way for multinational broadband service providers to secure the empowerment credit required for licensing by way of equity-equivalent investment programmes rather than through the sale of 30% equity to black investors.

Musk’s Starlink, which is operated by SpaceX, has strongly opposed the 30% equity requirement.

Last week, Malatsi published a 30-day comment period on the proposed amendments to the Electronic Communication Act (ECA), which seek to “harmonise” the Act’s requirements and provisions.

He argued that the proposed change was not designed to benefit a single individual or company, such as Starlink, but to ensure alignment between various pieces of legislation, including the ECA and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.

The EFF believes Starlink is a “threat” to national security, local jobs, and to South Africa’s sovereignty and independence.

The party accused Musk of attempting to coerce access to the South African market by using disinformation of a non-existent white genocide as leverage.

The EFF further raised political concerns about the presence of Starlink in the country, which it said was owned by an “individual who has peddled disinformation about the country, expressed his disdain for transformation, and would operate without any guarantees to jobs in the local telecommunications industry”.

The EFF accused Malatsi of attempting to subvert legislation by abusing executive powers by using a ministerial policy directive and characterising the amendments he wants to make to two Acts, as regulatory alignment.

“The EFF vows, that over and above legislative requirements, we will fight tooth and nail against corporate terror that uses access to diplomatic channels and Presidents to pursue business interests. We say no to Starlink in South Africa!” the party said.