Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma enacted two pieces of communications legislation, his office announced on Friday.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) Amendment Bill was the signed into law and gazetted this week.
“The act, among others, seeks to provide for more clarity on the powers and duties of the Icasa, its councillors and committees, improve the efficiency of the Icasa, and conform the Icasa Act more closely to the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act,” the statement said.
The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill was also enacted.
“The act seeks, among others, to amend the Electronic Communications Act, 2005, so as to align it with broad-based black economic empowerment initiatives, improve the governance provisions of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa, and to refine licensing issues,” the statement said.
“The act also seeks to give power to the minister of communications to issue policy directions to the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa. It further seeks to broaden the scope of policy directions that may be issued by the minister.” - Sapa