ICASA Bans Starlink for Illegal Operations in South Africa, Confiscates Equipment
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has shut down Starlink for operating in South Africa without authorisation.
ICASA also confiscated satellite equipment belonging to Elon Musk’s SpaceX following an investigation in the Northern Cape.
The seized equipment was reportedly found in use by a company called “ICASAsePush.”
The move comes amid growing tension between South African regulators and Starlink over the latter’s non-compliance with local licensing and empowerment regulations.
Starlink Disconnects South African Users
According to Kaya 959, South African users of Starlink have started receiving disconnection notices, with the company warning:
“You are currently using Starlink in an unauthorised territory. As a result, your service will be suspended effective immediately.”
The move is seen as Starlink’s response to pressure from ICASA, which has long maintained that Starlink is not authorised to operate within the country.
Musk’s BEE Controversy and Regulatory Standoff
Negotiations to bring Starlink to South Africa officially stalled earlier this year when Elon Musk claimed that Starlink was “banned” because he was not Black, referencing the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies.
In a dramatic twist, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss diplomatic strains, including Trump’s previous claims of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa.
Also Read: President Cyril Ramaphosa Comes Under Fire Over Reported Starlink Deal With Elon Musk
Policy Shift Could Open the Door for Legal Operation
Following that high-level meeting, South Africa’s Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Solly Malatsi, issued a policy direction aimed at easing B-BBEE requirements for companies in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector — a move that may pave the way for Starlink to operate legally in the future.
ICASA Confirms Starlink Was Operating Illegally Since 2022
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, 3 June 2025, ICASA Chairperson Mothibi Ramusi said the authority has been aware of Starlink’s unauthorised activities for years.
“This matter of Starlink, it’s not starting this year. I must put it on record that as an authority we have been made aware as early as 2022/2023,” said Ramusi.
Ramusi confirmed that the investigation culminated in the confiscation of equipment in the Northern Cape and reinforced the authority’s position that “no entity is above the law.”