'Most Notably' (22 June 2026)

For three successive weekly editions, we have used 'Most Notably' to draw attention to poor inter-departmental communication and inefficiency at national government level. Today, we report on the sloppy manner in which the Department of Communications & Digital Technologies continues to run its website. Of particular concern is the absence of media statements on matters of national significance.

This began under the watch of former Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (now Small Business Development Minister), whose communication skills in 2019 (or lack of them) triggered our Daily Maverick article. At the time, national government policies on licensing high-demand radio frequency spectrum and developing a wireless open access network were high on the ministerial agenda. Now – among other things and somewhat tardily – AI is under the policy development spotlight.

Mainstream media has reported ad nauseum on the department's unfortunate and deeply embarrassing 10 April 2026 release and call for public comment on a draft policy subsequently found to be replete with AI 'hallucinations'. Two weeks later, having been alerted to them, Communications & Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi's minions saw fit to rely on X to convey his decision to withdraw the document. The statement concerned was never posted on his department's website – which may well be because, for several years, there hasn't been a page dedicated to media statements. Speeches, yes ... But no statements, which we find rather odd.

More importantly, however, neither was the 26 April 2026 announcement published on national government's general website – where most official documents can be found. Instead, it was quoted in an article on the Government Communication and Information System mouthpiece website, SAnews.

On 12 June 2026, the department unceremoniously gazetted a rather curt notice formalising the draft policy's withdrawal – effective from that date. Yet, as we write, the document is still featured on the department's website under 'popular topics', where it is available for downloading.

Something is terribly wrong.

Our report for SA Legal Academy reflecting these developments can be found here.

Until next Monday ...

Policy Watch SA

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