Good afternoon Committee member Kekana

Thank you for your work and dedication to the oversight of the proposed amendment to the bill.

I am a contracted agent to the National Govt. conducting research for different Organs of State, that co-relate to the amendments to the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill.

My Govt. studies & research has been reviewed by multiple organs of State: Dept. of Health, Dept. of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Assembly of Parliament - MP, The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa, Rhodes University, UNISA, National Research Foundation - Peer Review Committee, and Dept. of Defence - SA Military Health Service.

The summary extracted comments are as follows: his work is ground-breaking and novel; request assistance in amending existing legislation and or aid development in drafting new legislation; sets a scientific standard for assessing the seriousness of the environmental impact; presents the benefit of a more rigorous and fact based standard to assist in achieving transparent and accountable government in South Africa; highly aligned with national priorities; highly aligned with national strategies; requested to aid in improving soldier performance, training and military medical health services.

Recently, my work was used in a High Court ruling resulting in a telecommunications mast being powered down for health reasons and multiple PAJA contraventions. This ruling, and prior has strong implications on the proposed Bill as it currently stands.

I would recommend utilizing my consultancy on making the needed critical amendments to the Bill before it is passed. Failure to do so will result in unneeded costs toward the State in terms of legal High Court applications and decommissioning of services. The purpose of my contract is to develop, research, and model mitigation solutions to the related field of the Bill in the benefit of both industry, communities, and the Govt. The work is impactful as it cross-pollinates discplines, thereby drawing input from multiple sectors.

Kind regards,

James Lech