Gayton backs Starlink - faces widespread criticism

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Another Government of National Unity (GNU) minister – Gayton McKenzie – has backed Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in South Africa, despite the latter’s rejection of transformative legislation.

The Pretoria-born billionaire has been presented with the possibility of his internet satellite service being granted an operating licence, allegedly “side-stepping” Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).

This comes after Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi gazetted a policy direction on “alternatives” to local shareholding in his department.

Musk initially slammed the legislature as a “racist law”.

GAYTON MCKENZIE BACKS STARLINK TO SA

In a social media post, Gayton McKenzie shared his views on Starlink possibly operating in South Africa.

He posted: “Starlink will give greater and cheaper access in a country with the most expensive data prices. I’m glad that Starlink is coming; we should make it happen faster. I support it wholeheartedly. Internet connectivity is also much cheaper in the rest of the world, but expensive in South Africa”.

In the comments section, thousands condemned the outspoken minister for flip-flopping on transformation in South Africa for Elon Musk’s Starlink.

@mabasotf: “A whole minister saying we must compromise our laws for a multinational cooperation”.

@Thamzin_b: “I think the point is not about wanting them or not. But they should conform to the laws of the land. If Musk wants to make money here, South Africans must benefit from it too.”,

@nyebe_official: “To do business in a country he lies about it – claiming genocide. This is wrong and should be condemned”.

@BedworthTimes: “And in exchange, Elon Musk gets backdoor control over our national comms infrastructure — including military communication. But hey, cheap data, right?”

MORE WHO SUPPORT THE INTERNET SATELLITE SERVICE

Gayton McKenzie is not the only high-profile politician who supports Starlink. Others include:

UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

Meanwhile, former DA member Phumzile van Damme has called for the halting of any plans to grant Starlink an operating licence in South Africa.

She posted in an X thread: “The process currently unfolding is procedurally flawed & unconstitutional”

“Why? Because the ICT Sector Code sets out a specific process for amendment, and it’s not by Ministerial directive. The law must be followed. Rule of Law”.