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It’s fair to say this one sailed under the radar on Sunday. The communications ministry, following Jackson Mthembu’s temporary direction during the shutdown, has amended certain sections of the National Disaster Law by removing three key paragraphs from the legal document; everything related to our mobile networks.
Mobile price hikes: What has changed and why?
Paragraph 12 and subparagraphs 2.4 and 8.1 have been removed from the text. In addition to allowing the portability of mobile phones and the withdrawal of government permission to track cell phone locations, the law that kept cell phone companies from raising their prices has disappeared.
The amendment was published in the Government Gazette over the weekend. Now there is nothing to stop networks from increasing the cost of data packets, phones, or any other technological product. The official confirmation came from Mthembu himself, who signed the directive:
“I, Jackson Mthembu, modify the Electronic Communications and Broadcasting Instructions published in Government Gazette No. 43164, Government Notice No. 417 of March 26, 2020, as amended by the Electronic Communications and Broadcasting Amendment Instructions published in the Government Gazette No. 43209 “.
Jackson Mthembu on updated National Disaster Law
Blocking laws make price monitoring easy
Price increases were strictly prohibited in all forms of retail and trade at the beginning of the South African blockade. However, as the restrictions have been eased, companies have been given room for maneuver in terms of what they can charge for their products. Mthembu is acting as Minister of Communications, following the temporary suspension of Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Now it’s a waiting game to see if any of our tech giants will take advantage of the newly released legal frameworks. In the past seven weeks of lockdown, people like Dis-Chem and several supermarkets have been singled out for raising prices for essential items amid a global health crisis.
Although the terms and conditions have not been clarified for other industries, the communications industry will be able to test the waters.
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