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To dispel any confusion, Edward Nathan & Friedland Inc., the attorneys for the South African Call-Back Association have asked the High Court for a ruling on whether in terms of the current legislation call-back is or is not legal. Now it is up to the High Court to give its ruling.
In the meantime what has clearly emerged is that SATRA (The South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) has no powers whatsoever to proclaim call-back illegal as it presumed to do earlier this month. SATRA also has no power of prosecution.
We expect this matter will take some time before it is resolved. With appeals it could go on for years. In the meantime SATRA's "ruling" has no legal effect whatsoever and call-back will continue as normal.
Besides the legal action we have the support of commerce and industry. The public response has been overwhelmingly in our favour. If nothing else call-back has brought international telecommunications in South Africa in line with world trends. It is an essential aspect of South Africa's integration with the world economic community that international telecommunications are realistically priced and affordable.
SACBA would like to thank you for your continued support and assure you of our best service at all times. We will keep you informed of developments.
Herewith the letter received from Edward Nathan & Friedland Inc.
| EDWARD NATHAN & FRIEDLAND INC The Chairman, South African Call-Back Association |
4th Floor The Forum 2 Maude Street Sandown Sandton 2196 PO Box 783347 Sandton 2146 Docex 70 JHB Telephone (011) 269 7600 Fax 269 7899 Our Reference André Duminy/jad/1865 Email Address: jad@enf.co.za 29 August 1997 |
| Dear Sir, SATRA'S RULING ON CALL-BACK 1. We refer to the Ruling of SATRA dated 12 August 1997, the urgent application brought by yourselves against SATRAand the agreement reached between SACBA and SATRA on 27 August 1997. 2. We confirm that:- 2.1. SATRA had undertaken not to prosecute any person in the call-back industry unless the High Court in due course rules otherwise; 2.2. even if the High Court finds call-back illegal, SATRA, itself has no powers of prosecution, now or retrospectively; 2.3. in the meantime, SATRA's Ruling has no legal effect whatsoever on the call-back industry and the Ruling does not per se signal one demise of call-back in South Africa. Yours faithfully | |
