Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the Filling of a Vacancy on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, dated 4 February 2003:

The Portfolio Committee on Communications, having considered the matter of the filling of a vacancy on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, referred to it, reports as follows:

The Committee invited the public to nominate persons for consideration and recommendation to the President for filling a vacancy. Nominations and applications were received from 24 candidates. Some of them were not considered as they did not meet the requirements as prescribed by law, and as stipulated in the advertisements.

The Committee met on 21 January 2003 to consider the nominees, and agreed unanimously that the following persons be shortlisted and interviewed on 4 February 2003:

* Ms T Cohen

* Dr B Dumisa

* Mr A H A Karrim

* Mr G Petrick

Mr Karrim withdrew his nomination.

After having considered the shortlist and after having interviewed the remaining three candidates, the Committee recommends that the House, in accordance with section 5 of the Act, makes a recommendation to the President that Mr G Petrick be appointed as councillor to Icasa.

The Committee also discussed section 9(2)(b) of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, No 13 of 2000, which provides that "Any councillor appointed under this subsection holds office for the rest of the period of the predecessor's term of office, unless the National Assembly directs that such councillor holds office for a longer period which may not exceed four years".

Report to be considered.