By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DOCDT) Minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn the Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.
Concerns are growing over the credibility of AI Policy amid the reports that the policy cited sources that cannot be verified, raising questions about accuracy, accountability and the use of AI in government drafting.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has published the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy (Draft AI Policy) for public comment.
The Draft AI Policy was approved by Cabinet on 25 March 2026 and gazetted on 10 April 2026.
The draft proposes establishing seven new institutional bodies: a National AI Commission, an AI Ethics Board, an AI Regulatory Authority, an AI Ombudsperson Office, an AI Insurance Superfund, a National AI Safety Institute, and an Integrated AI-Powered Monitoring Centre.
In a brief statement, Malatsi says internal processes were initiated, which subsequently confirmed various fictitious sources in its reference list.
Such failure, he adds, is not a mere technical issue but has compromised the integrity and credibility of the draft policy.
“As such, I am withdrawing the draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy, South Africans deserve better. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) did not deliver on the standard that is acceptable for an institution entrusted with the role to lead South Africa’s digital policy environment. The most plausible explanation is that AI-generated citations were included without proper verification. This should not have happened.”
“In fact, this unacceptable lapse proves why vigilant human oversight use of artificial intelligence is critical. It’s a lesson we take with humility. I want to reassure the country that we are treating this matter with the gravity it deserves.”
Malatsi said there would be consequences for those responsible for drafting the policy, and did not say when a new one would be released.
The minister faced criticism after it emerged that AI was likely used to help draft the recently published policy.
Khusela Diko, chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, took aim at the minister.
“With the integrity of the draft AI policy seriously called into question, here’s an alternative to counter-productive grandstanding,” Diko said.
“Withdraw it… and subject it to the rigorous review (without using ChatGPT this time) demanded of a national policy on the most transformative technology of the 21st century.”
Diko said the policy must then be re-released for the public to submit comments once Malatsi has a draft policy he can take full ownership of. Stop looking for a scapegoat (or should we say a scape-bot?),” she said.