High court derails analogue switch-off

Published: 2025-03-27 14:24 +02:00 by Nkosinathi Ndlovu tag: Broadcasting and Media

Communications minister Solly Malatsi has been ordered not to switch off analogue television broadcasts on 31 March.

Communications minister Solly Malatsi. Image: DCDT

The high court in Pretoria has ruled in favour of broadcaster e.tv in its bid to stop communications minister Solly Malatsi from switching off analogue television broadcasts on 31 March.

The judgment is a political setback for Malatsi, who had set the deadline for switch-off and then refused to budge even as he was dragged to court by e.tv.

The free-to-air broadcaster filed suit against Malatsi in January after the minister announced in December that all analogue broadcasts would be switched off at the end of March, or next Monday.

The minister is interdicted from taking any steps to implement the switch-off of analogue signals

In its application, the broadcaster accused Malatsi of repeating a mistake made by his predecessor, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, by not consulting industry stakeholders before deciding on a date for analogue switch-off.

“The operation of the analogue switch-off date of 31 March 2025, as announced by the minister of communications & digital technologies of 5 December 2024, is suspended. The minister is interdicted from taking any steps to implement the switch-off of analogue signals and ending dual illumination,” said Judge Selby Baqwa in the ruling, which was handed down on Thursday.

Read: E.tv drags Solly Malatsi to court over March digital TV deadline

Baqwa also slapped Malatsi with a costs order, which includes the cost of legal counsel for e.tv as the first respondent in the case, as well as those of industry lobby groups Media Monitoring Africa and the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, which were the second and third respondents, respectively. — (c) 2025 NewsCentral Media

This is a breaking story that is being updated regularly

Get breaking news from TechCentral on WhatsApp. Sign up here .

Don’t miss:

Warning of TV blackout for millions in South Africa

Enhanced Investments, Inc.
329 South Oyster Bay Road #2085
Plainview, NY 11803
team@eninvs.com

Important disclosures

Performance results were prepared by Enhanced Investments, and have not been compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Performance estimates are subject to future adjustment and revision. Investors should be aware that a loss of investment is possible. Account holdings are for illustrative purposes only and are not investment recommendations. Additional information, including (i) the calculation methodology; and (ii) a list showing the contribution of each holding to the portfolio’s performance during the time period will be provided upon request.
All statements made via social media sites sponsored or maintained by Enhanced Investments and its affiliates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a comprehensive description of Enhanced Investments' investment advisory services.
Certain investments are not suitable for all investors. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and applicable fees. The rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long term investments. Investment losses are possible, including the potential loss of all amounts invested. Information provided by Enhanced Investments is for informational and general educational purposes only and is not investment or financial advice.

Nothing on this website should be considered an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns [or probability projections] are hypothetical in nature and may not reflect actual future performance.
All the strategies assume investments in equity invstrumenta only and are more relevant for "agressive investment profile". Eastern European flagship strategy assumes using up to 20% leverage of total portfolio. GlobalCommodities and US Growth strategy currently assume no leverage.
Results for the Enhanced Investments strategies as compared to the performance of Illustrative Benchmarks is for informational purposes only. Our investment program does not mirror that of the Illustrative Benchmarks and the volatility may be materially different from the volatility of Illustrative Benchmarks. Reference or comparison to an Illustrative Benchmark does not imply that strategies of Enhanced Investments will be constructed in the same way as the Illustrative Benchmark or achieve returns, volatility, or other results similar to those of the Illustrative Benchmark. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation to represent U.S. equity performance.
Performance results were prepared by Enhanced Investments, and have not been compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Performance estimates are subject to future adjustment and revision. Investors should be aware that a loss of investment is possible. Account holdings are for illustrative purposes only and are not investment recommendations. Additional information, including (i) the calculation methodology; and (ii) a list showing the contribution of each holding to the portfolio’s performance during the time period will be provided upon request.
All statements made via social media sites sponsored or maintained by Enhanced Investments and its affiliates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a comprehensive description of Enhanced Investments' investment advisory services.
Certain investments are not suitable for all investors. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and applicable fees. The rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long term investments. Investment losses are possible, including the potential loss of all amounts invested. Information provided by Enhanced Investments is for informational and general educational purposes only and is not investment or financial advice.