Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has removed Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) chairperson and councillor Rubben Mohlaloga from office.<\/p>\n
Mohlaloga was convicted of fraud and money laundering on 15 January 2018. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 14 February 2019.<\/p>\n
The Minister\u2019s decision follows a resolution by the National Assembly resolution and it\u2019s in accordance with section 8(3)(b) of the ICASA Act, No. 13 of 2002 (ICASA Act).<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the National Assembly (NA) resolved, in terms of section 8(2)(a) of the ICASA Act to remove Mohlaloga from office with immediate effect.<\/p>\n
Last Friday, the Minister suspended Mohlaloga pending the conclusion of the National Assembly process to remove him from office following a resolution of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the matter.<\/p>\n
In terms of section 6(1)(j) of the ICASA Act, a Councillor who is convicted of, amongst others, fraud; is disqualified from holding office.<\/p>\n
The Icasa Council will, as empowered by section 5 (2)(b) of the Act, elect an acting chairperson. Further, the process to appoint a new chairperson will soon commence.<\/p>\n