Khusela Diko, Chairperson of Parliament’s Communications Committee, has repeatedly criticized a government proposal to introduce Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) in South Africa’s ICT sector.
The draft policy, published by Communications Minister Solly Malatsi, would allow foreign-owned companies like Starlink to meet licensing requirements without direct Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) ownership. Diko has described the move as an attempt to undermine South Africa’s transformation agenda and accused the Democratic Alliance of advancing policies that bypass race-based redress laws.
Minister Malatsi has dismissed Diko’s claims as unfounded.
Diko, a former presidential spokesperson, was appointed to Parliament in June 2024 and now chairs the portfolio committee overseeing the proposed policy. She also serves on an ad hoc committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.