Malatsi says Starlink meetings were routine, part of government engagement

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has described his engagements with Starlink and other Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers as routine, policy‑driven and not influential on his official decisions, according to The Citizen.

Minister says meetings informed policy, not decisions

According to The Citizen, Malatsi confirmed that he had met with a range of LEO satellite providers, including Starlink, and said none of these interactions had shaped his decision‑making. He told Parliament’s portfolio committee that such engagements were part of understanding industry capabilities and regulatory frameworks.

Which operators were involved

The Citizen reports Malatsi confirmed meetings with several satellite operators, including MzansiSat, Amazon Leo, China Satellite Network Company, Spacesail, Space24 and Starlink. He said that none of these meetings discussed individual licence applications and were focused on broad industry issues.

Starlink meeting details

According to The Citizen, Malatsi acknowledged a single meeting with Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, represented by Ryan Goodnight in September 2024. He said the meeting was facilitated directly between his office and Robert Appelbaum, and that he was joined by his Chief of Staff. The Minister described the meeting as an introductory discussion to understand the impact of LEO systems on accelerating broadband access.

On claims involving Resolve Communications

The Citizen states Malatsi said Resolve Communications had approached his office twice: once in 2024 about SIM card compliance concerns and again in 2025 over a radio licence amendment. He said neither case involved Starlink.

Policy context and leadership approach

According to The Citizen, Malatsi said equity‑equivalent investment programmes in the ICT sector were embedded in the DA’s 2024 manifesto and the Government of National Unity’s Medium Term Development Policy (MTDP). He also told the committee that his ministry’s reform work began in mid‑2024, before lobbying allegations emerged.

“All of this is a normal, and indeed essential, part of being in government.”

The Citizen attributes this quote to Malatsi as he explained his “open‑door” approach to industry engagement and the role such meetings play in informing government policy.