COSATU takes further legal advice on Vodacom, Vodafone deal

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is still consulting with its legal team on possible legal avenues it could take, following an unsuccessful application over the weekend to prevent the listing of mobile network provider Vodacom.

The labour body attempted the legal action following an about-turn by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), insisting that the deal required its approval, after earlier saying that the deal could go ahead without it.

ICASA said in a statement: “In the interest of transparency, the Authority finds it appropriate that a public process be followed to allow all interested parties to be heard and that these envisaged public hearings will take place by mid-June 2009. ”

Meanwhile, Vodacom has successfully been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) this morning.