Elon Musk has raised a very serious issue: the South African government allegedly wanted him to operate in the country through fake fronting, while some government officials demanded bribes for Starlink to be allowed to operate.
These allegations cannot simply be dismissed. They are raising serious concerns, and South Africans must demand clear answers on how American and other foreign companies are operating in our country. We may assume that foreign companies are complying with the law, but in reality, many are not โ they are reportedly paying bribes to government officials to do business.
Muskโs allegations warrant investigation by the Madlanga Commission. It should examine how Microsoft, Amazon, and other American and foreign companies are operating in South Africa, and identify the individuals who are the beneficiaries of the 30% ownership requirements.