Dina Pule bad for business: Commerce Chamber

The business world is frustrated with the communication department’s lack of governance, the Cape Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday.

“It is creating a level of uncertainty,” said Roderick Lim Banda, chairman of the chamber’s information and communications technology (ICT) committee.

This also affected the confidence of business in the local ICT sector.

“The chamber’s ICT members have voiced their concern about the recent media reports surrounding the minister,” Banda said.

Communications Minister Dina Pule had been linked to allegations of nepotism and corruption, and the decline of institutions such as Telkom and the SABC.

Banda said there had been a lack of progress meeting targets and lack of governance in ICT tenders. He criticised both Pule and President Jacob Zuma.

“We are astonished that the president can speak confidently about meeting the target of 100 percent broadband penetration by 2020 in his state-of-the-nation address when his minister has yet to deliver on her current targets,” Banda said.

Comment from the communications department could not immediately be obtained.

Banda added: “To be fair, the minister has inherited the legacy of a problematic image when it comes to government’s ICT leadership and delivery.”

Dina Pule and Stella Ndabeni

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