Starlink orders ICASAsePush to halt operations in South Africa as regulator Icasa cracks whip
Icasa chairperson Mothibi Ramusi wrote to SpaceX, seeking clarity on whether the international internet service provider was operating in South Africa without a licence.
Image: Supplied
Elon Musk's international internet service provider Starlink has informed ICASAsePush, a privately-owned company reported as the leading provider of Starlink internet services in South Africa, to cease its local operations following the intervention of South African authorities.
The Starlink directive through its parent company SpaceX to ICASAsePush came after South Africa's Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) wrote to Musk's company, seeking clarity after widespread allegations surfaced purporting that Starlink services are available in South Africa.
IOL has recently reported that Starlink has not applied for a licence to operate in South Africa, despite claiming that broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) laws are preventing his company from setting up.
In South Africa, Starlink is listed at 'service date is unknown' while it is starting in 2025 in Lesotho, Namibia, Tanzania, Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its services are available in eSwatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Burundi, among other African countries.
Speaking to IOL, Icasa chairperson Mothibi Ramusi said he has written to SpaceX, seeking clear answers on whether the international service provider was operating in South Africa without a licence. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
'I must indicate and confirm that, as an authority, we wrote to the company SpaceX because we wanted to get affirmation ... because sometimes you have fake news and as an authority, with the limitations we have in terms of monitoring equipment and tools, I took it upon myself, supported by council and our exco, and SpaceX has responded, and I must say the response worried me as well, as the chair.
'While they recognise in a country without proper permits is not permissible, they indicated to us they have now instructed them, ICASAsePush, to cease operations and even distribute any equipment that is aligned to their business especially in this country.
'From a security point, that is an issue which should be a concern to us as an authority. Because we collaborate with other state institutions, I have immediately, on behalf of the authority, engaged with Sansa (South African National Space Agency) our national space agency and among other things they do, they providing tracking, tracing and control for those that launch satellites all over the world so we have a very good state of the art facility in this country.
Ramusi said he has engaged with security cluster agencies in South Africa as well as Icasa being on the ground, engaging with different communities seeking to identify any illegal activities.
'Part of our collaboration is to bring in other institutions because this requires collaboration. If security is at risk, as an authority, being part of the international telecommunications union, all member states have made a commitment that, as and when you provide services in any country you must observe the local rules.
In this instance, as an authority, we just want to instill discipline that as much as we encourage to come to South Africa, if you know that you have equipment that requires spectrum, come to the authority, and that;s what I would like to encourage.
Ramusi said SpaceX has confirmed that Starlink services in South Africa have been provided through ICASAsePush.
'They have indicated a company called ICASAsePush. I have got the evidence. They (SpaceX) have written to them instructing them to cease whatever operations that they have.
'My worry is, obviously as an authority is, what kind of a workaround is making it possible for somebody, even when we have instructed SpaceX to cease their operations. With internet, you need to inform those that are providing the service your downlink and your uplink signals should be shut down.
That is the instruction we have done as an authority, so I would be more worried if anyone comes today and says that they do have evidence that somewhere in this country, somebody has been able to connect.
On its website, IOL found that ICASAsePush prides itself as a trusted facilitator helping South Africans access 'Sparkling' — 'quickly, simply, and without the usual hassle'.
ICASAsePush's website also states: 'Diligent copyright lawyers have advised that we can't call a spade a spade - so we now proudly refer to it as Sparkling. Sparkling is a satellite-based internet service. It delivers fast, uncapped internet to homes and businesses - especially in rural or remote areas where traditional options fall short'.
'We source, import, test, and deliver Sparkling hardware directly to your door, handling everything from customs to courier. Whether you choose to buy outright or rent-to-own, we also facilitate your Sparkling account setup if needed — all while keeping you in full control.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Cyril Ramaphosa calls for Israel and Iran to talk, not attack
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for dialogue between Israel and Iran, warning that continued conflict will only lead to further devastation and economic fallout across the globe. Speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of the 30-year anniversary celebration of the Constitutional Court on Friday, Ramaphosa expressed grave concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly following reports that the United States may join Israel in potential military action against Iran. The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump would decide on 'whether or not to go' with US involvement in the conflict in the next two weeks. Having just returned from the G7 summit in Canada, President Ramaphosa cautioned that the world was entering a dangerous period of heightened geopolitical instability. 'The world has become a very dangerous place now, with all these conflicts that are flaring up into the destruction of infrastructure and loss of life. 'We want to continue calling on all actors that dialogue peace-making is the only way in which to solve problems, the disputes that arise in various parts of the country, including the dispute between Israel and Iran now should be solved through dialogue, and we say that it must happen immediately, without resorting to further air strikes to further bombs,' President Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa emphasised that continued violence was claiming lives and causing ripple effects across the globe, including here at home. 'Lives are being lost, and it is actually having a devastating blow on the economies of the world because there is now uncertainty and prices are beginning to rise. We are already suffering from price rises in our fuel… We want the conflict to come to an end,' he said. Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa's longstanding foreign policy principle of peaceful resolution through diplomacy, warning that prolonged armed conflict would only deepen global instability. According to reports, Iran and Israel traded strikes overnight, with no signs of de-escalation in their weeklong conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military's objective was to strike all of Iran's nuclear facilities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Mams author's second book holds powerful insights
Sidney Seromo, also known as Sidney Ke Mmino from Nellmapius, is continuing on his chosen path of helping others along their journeys. He said he dropped out of university and transitioned from a promising football career to entrepreneurship, founding SKM XXIV Ltd in 2016. After the success of his debut book, The Brand Blueprint, he now returns with a bold new release: The Spark of Purpose, launching this month. Speaking to Seromo, he said this transformative second book dives deep into the power of purpose, self-leadership, and vision. 'The book, The Spark of Purpose is a collaborative effort, featuring powerful insights from some of South Africa's most inspiring and influential figures.' These include: Theo Baloyi, founder of Bathu; Thatiso Dube, founder of Galxboy; Alphy Sipho Mkhwanazi, a media personality; Ofentse Thulare, known as 'The Corporate Lepara'; and Ronwen Williams, South African football icon and national team captain of Bafana Bafana. He said together, they share stories of resilience, innovation, and identity that aim to ignite a spark in every reader looking to find their voice and live their calling. 'This book is about more than success – it's about significance,' said Seromo. 'I wanted to create something that inspires people not just to build a brand, but to build a life with direction and purpose.' Seromo's story is proof that with vision, hustle, and heart, anyone can turn their past into power and their ideas into influence. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
McKenzie refutes Mqhayi's claims about the South African flag design
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie maintains that the department's archival investigation into the design of the South African flag was correctly credited to the late Frederick Brownell. Image: Leon Muller / Independent Newspapers Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has said the analysis of the original design submissions by Eastern Cape artist Thembani Hastings Mqhayi did not contain any of the elements incorporated into the final design of the South African national flag. 'Based on the available information, the confirmed designer whose draft concept informed the basis for the design of the South African flag during the work of the Joint Technical Working Committee, albeit refined through the subsequent committee process, is indeed the late Mr Frederick Brownell,' he said. McKenzie was responding to EFF MP Eugene Mthethwa, who wanted to know who actually designed the national flag after Mqhayi recently claimed that he designed it, not Brownell. In April, Mqhayi's spokesperson, Bandile Magibili, was quoted as saying Mqhayi owns the design of the national flag. 'I think the word 'claiming' is overused. The design of the flag of the country is indeed Mr Thembani Hastings Mqhayi's design,' he told Newzroom Afrika. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ IOL previously reported that Mqhayi filed papers in the Pretoria High Court in 2022 against the then minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and the State Herald over the matter. In his written response, McKenzie said a comprehensive investigation into the matter was conducted during the time of Mthethwa, and Brownell was correctly credited with designing the flag. He also said the initial process to design the national flag had involved a public call for entries and consideration of designs from professional design studios, but did not result in an acceptable design. Brownell's contribution emerged from a subsequent process, as he did not contribute to the initial processes, he stated. 'The final design accepted was not one of these initially selected or shortlisted designs, but it emerged from a process that followed the failure of the initial public call and professional studio submissions to gain acceptance.' McKenzie explained that the department's investigation into the matter involved a thorough review and analysis of archival records related to the multi-party negotiations, including about 7,000 design submissions received in 1993. 'The analysis of Mr Mqhayi's original design submissions, retrieved from the archives, has left no room for reasonable doubt: Mr Mqhayi's submitted designs do not contain any of the elements incorporated into the design of the South African national flag. 'Therefore, based on the available information, the confirmed designer whose draft concept formed the basis for the South African flag design during the work of the Joint Technical Working Committee, albeit refined through the subsequent committee process, is indeed the late Mr Frederick Brownell.' McKenzie stated that the design that formed the basis for the final flag design process was based on an initial sketch by Brownell. 'This design was developed during the process led by the Joint Technical Working Committee (convened by Mr Brownell), which was tasked with resolving the flag issue after the initial public and professional design efforts failed. 'Mr FG Brownell did not submit a finished design of the South African flag as we know it today; rather, his initial sketch went through various alterations based on the inputs of the Joint Technical Working Committee, the Transitional Executive Council, and others.' The role of Brownell, as a convener and with the resources of the Bureau of Heraldry available, to interpret the committee's views and inputs, working with artists at the Bureau to produce designs for consideration, leading iteratively to the final design. 'The colour composition and its interpretation were the prerogative of the committees involved in the later stages of the design process and were not derived from any specific submission from the public participation process, including those by Mr. Mqhayi.' McKenzie also said the digitised records showed that Mqhayi submitted three designs, which were both mailed and faxed. 'A comparative analysis of these archived submissions against the final flag design shows significant differences, and his submissions do not contain elements that influenced the final flag design.' This information, he said, was previously made available to Mqhayi through a Promotion of Access to Information Act request. McKenzie also said Mqhayi's claim of flawed procurement processes and his assertion of entitlement to benefits were not supported by the facts of how the flag was designed. 'It is also important to clarify that the process that led to the final flag design was not a procurement process that offered compensation or intellectual property rights to participants. The initial public participation process was a call for submissions, not a competition.' McKenzie said Mqhayi has pursued legal action regarding his claims, but the proceedings have stalled. 'The department maintains that the archival evidence refutes his claims and any legal process he pursues is bound to fail.' In an interview on Saturday, Magibili confirmed that the court action has stalled after Mqhayi's legal representatives withdrew from the matter. Magibili said the matter was compounded by Mqhayi's ill health, but they want McKenzie to intervene. 'We are trying to speak to the minister asking that he assists to resolve the matter without going to court.' He expressed his concerns that the State Herald was briefing McKenzie on the flag despite 'the fraud in the flag occurred in that office'.
