Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi.
Image: Supplied
Parliament has given Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi until Monday to clarify his reported engagements with former DA leader Tony Leon's public relations firm, Resolve Communications, and satellite-based internet network, Starlink.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko made the request to Malatsi, following reported engagements between him, Resolve Communications, and Starlink.
This comes as ActionSA has lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector, calling for an investigation into Resolve Communications over its alleged dealings with ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The complaint, announced Thursday by ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont, asks the Public Protector to investigate Resolve Communications' interactions with GNU ministers, as well as "any corresponding decisions or actions taken by those ministers".
At the weekend, former DA leader and now Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister John Steenhuisen lifted the lid on allegations that Resolve Communications used its proximity to senior DA leaders to facilitate meetings between DA ministers and its private sector clients, including Elon Musk's Starlink.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko, has provided an opportunity to Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi to provide a comprehensive written response to reports of his engagements with Resolve Communications and Starlink.
Image: Phando Jikelo / ParliamentRSA
Steenhuisen mentioned himself, Malatsi, former minister Dion George, and Minister Willie Aucamp as the DA ministers asked by Resolve Communications to meet with their clients, such as Starlink and Redisa.
Leon, who is Resolve Communications' executive chairman, has since dismissed claims that his public affairs firm wielded improper political influence inside the GNU, saying the allegations were politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.
He has claimed that Resolve Communications was “a convenient external explanation for difficulties that are, in truth, internal and political” within the DA, following the shifting of Steenhuisen as Agriculture minister to become a deputy minister for Trade, Industry and Competition.
Diko said Steenhuisen’s untested allegations were of a serious nature because they raised questions regarding the propriety of engagements between public office bearers and private interests in matters that may relate to policy development, regulatory processes, and executive decision-making.
“At face value, these allegations invoke concerning historical precedents in our country, where private interests sought to direct government policy and executive decisions during the State Capture era,” she said.
Diko said it was important for the portfolio committee, in the execution of its constitutional oversight mandate, to satisfy itself that all engagements involving Malatsi were conducted in accordance with the constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Diko has afforded Malatsi an opportunity to provide a comprehensive written response to the matters raised in the media reports.
“The chairperson has requested that the minister submit his detailed written response, together with any supporting documentation, by Monday, 6 July 2026.”
Diko stated that the committee was committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in the communications and digital technologies sector.
“The committee will consider the minister's response in determining any appropriate next steps,” she added.
Beaumont noted that Leon and DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis have brushed the claims aside, labelling the alleged activities as “lobbying”.
“They sing from the same hymn sheet because it is Tony Leon’s political influence in the DA that is being brought to bear particularly on DA government representatives.
“What they claim to be lobbying appears to be something more sinister and reminds South Africans of a time not that long ago when powerful individuals captured leaders in political parties in a bid to gain access to the state that they would not otherwise enjoy,” he added.
Beaumont further said ActionSA will submit parliamentary questions to all DA ministers and deputy ministers on their engagements with Resolve Communications.
“We will ask for the Minister of Communications as well as Resolve Communications to appear before the appropriate parliamentary committee to answer questions on their actions.”
Cape Times