Icasa boss’s fate still in balance

THE FATE of convicted Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) chairperson Rubben Mohlaloga was set to be sealed by the National Assembly.

This is according to statements by the Department of Communications and the parliamentary portfolio on communications.

On Thursday, Mohlaloga, former Land Bank acting chief executive Philemon Mohlahlane and attorney Donga Nkhwashu were granted leave to appeal after they were sentenced in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for defrauding the bank in 2008.

Mohlaloga, formerly ANC Youth League deputy president, was sentenced to 20 years for fraud, Nkhwashu to 24 years for fraud and money laundering and Mohlahlane to seven years for fraud.

The Department of Communications has since said it noted the conviction of Mohlaloga, who was re-elected as Icasa councillor last year while a cloud hung over his head.

It said Minister Stella Ndabeni-abrahams would study the judgment but stated that a councillor was disqualified from holding office when convicted.

Portfolio committee chairperson Hlengiwe Mkhize said the Icasa Act was clear on the disqualification of a person serving on the Icasa council.