EFF blames DA Minister Solly Malatsi for SITA problems

A recent report has revealed serious governance issues at a South African state-owned technology company, raising questions about the performance of Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi.

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA), a state-owned company, is tasked with coordinating the South African government’s IT resources.

This includes procuring equipment for state-operated sites, such as airports, and ensuring that the country’s IT systems operate efficiently.

The company has come under scrutiny following an investigation by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The investigation outlined poor governance within SITA, with the company having roughly R2 billion in irregular expenditures.

The report also found major procurement issues in the company, with some tenders going unawarded for over 400 days.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemned SITA’s poor performance and said the report revealed fundamental flaws in the company’s leadership.

The party said the issues stem from a lack of oversight and assertive leadership, resulting in missing documentation and poor accountability.

The company has been performing poorly for many years, often struggling to adequately source vital equipment for South Africa’s government.

The EFF slated SITA, saying the recent investigation paints a picture of the company’s failure to serve the country over the past few years.

“SITA is a hub of extensive theft and deliberate sabotage of state functions,” the party said.

It also praised the PSC’s work, saying the investigation into SITA was invaluable for understanding the issues faced by the company.

“The EFF sees this report as a vital advancement in understanding the significant decline within this essential state agency,” it said.

The company’s operations are vital for the country, with sites such as airports and government offices heavily relying on equipment sourced by SITA.

If the group cannot function efficiently, other government departments will struggle to manage their portfolios and effectively serve the country.

Minister Solly Malatsi in the hot seat

The EFF said that SITA’s poor performance is a direct result of the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies’ poor performance.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has served in this position since 2024, taking charge of the portfolio after the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

During his tenure, Malatsi has sought to give government departments the option to bypass SITA and procure their own IT resources.

The EFF opposed this idea, arguing that it undermined an important state-owned company and prioritised private interests.

“Malatsi has been advocating for regulations that would enable government departments to bypass SITA and acquire IT services independently, a reckless initiative that the EFF has condemned,” the party said.

Introducing independent procurement for government departments would help them operate efficiently, reducing the reliance on SITA’s slow tendering process.

The EFF said Malatsi is attempting to dismantle SITA rather than save it, to benefit businesses linked to the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The EFF also pointed to the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA), an institution which forms part of Malatsi’s portfolio, as evidence of the minister’s poor performance.

NEMISA has faced corruption allegations in the past, which the EFF believes demonstrates a pattern of decay under Malatsi’s supervision.

“Minister Malatsi needs to step up and take decisive action against corruption across all organisations in his portfolio,” the EFF said.

Malatsi has responded to the PSC’s investigation, saying his department requested the report after poor governance practices were identified at SITA.

He said the report identified systemic challenges in the company, which had led to a lack of accountability and the erosion of public confidence.

“These factors created an environment in which delays, poor decision making, and corruption risk could take root,” he said.

Malatsi’s department has demanded a stabilisation and recovery plan from SITA’s board of directors within 30 days, along with details on the company’s procurement backlog.

SITA is also required to submit a governance reform plan to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies within 60 days.