The using of jamming devices by any entity other than the national security cluster departments is “not authorised and/or permitted”, communications regulator Icasa said on Friday morning in reaction to news that such a device had been used in parliament during President Jacob Zuma’s state-of-the-nation address.

“The authority’s position with regards to the use of jamming devices is outlined in the findings and conclusions document on the enquiry into mobile telephone blocking devices.”

That document was published in the Government Gazette on 28 November 2002.

“The national security cluster departments may, where supported by relevant security legislation, deploy the use of jammers in relation to, among others, state security functions,” it said.

It’s not clear if that includes events such as the state-of-the-nation address.

“The authority welcomes the speaker’s pronouncement that parliament will investigate this matter. The authority will liaise with parliament on the outcome of the investigation. Should it deem it necessary, the authority may also institute its own investigation into the matter.”

News that signals were being jammed for Zuma’s address outraged journalists and opposition parties. After formal objections were raised by the Democratic Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus, the jamming equipment was switched off. — (c) 2015 NewsCentral Media