--- title: Malatsi Wants South Africa’s AI Policy Back on Track After False Start description: South Africa is rebuilding its national AI policy after fabricated references forced a withdrawal, with public consultation expected in 2027. image: https://afroform.com/hubfs/images%20(5).jpg --- [![logo-200x50](https://afroform.com/hubfs/logo-200x50.svg "logo-200x50")](https://afroform.com/) Open menu - [Services](https://afroform.com#our-services) - [Solutions](https://afroform.com/solutions) - [Countries We Serve](https://afroform.com/countries-we-serve) - [All Countries](https://afroform.com/countries-we-serve) - [Angola](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/angola) - [Botswana](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/botswana) - [Côte d'Ivoire](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/cote-divoire) - [Ethiopia](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/ethiopia) - [Ghana](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/nigeria-0-2) - [Kenya](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/kenya) - [Mauritius](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/mauritius) - [Nigeria](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/nigeria) - [Rwanda](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/rwanda) - [South Africa](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/south-africa) - [Seychelles](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/seychelles) - [Tanzania](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/tanzania) - [Togo](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/togo) - [Zambia](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/zambia) - [About Us](https://afroform.com#about-us) - [Contact Us](https://afroform.com/contact-afroform) - [Blog](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog) [Sign In](https://app.afroform.com/login?utm_source=HeaderNav) [Sign up](https://app.afroform.com/register?utm_source=HeaderNav) [![logo-200x50](https://afroform.com/hubfs/logo-200x50.svg "logo-200x50")](https://afroform.com/) Close menu - [Services](https://afroform.com#our-services) - [Solutions](https://afroform.com/solutions) - [Countries We Serve](https://afroform.com/countries-we-serve) - [All Countries](https://afroform.com/countries-we-serve) - [Angola](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/angola) - [Botswana](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/botswana) - [Côte d'Ivoire](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/cote-divoire) - [Ethiopia](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/ethiopia) - [Ghana](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/nigeria-0-2) - [Kenya](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/kenya) - [Mauritius](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/mauritius) - [Nigeria](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/nigeria) - [Rwanda](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/rwanda) - [South Africa](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/south-africa) - [Seychelles](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/seychelles) - [Tanzania](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/tanzania) - [Togo](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/togo) - [Zambia](https://afroform.com/register-a-company/zambia) - [About Us](https://afroform.com#about-us) - [Contact Us](https://afroform.com/contact-afroform) - [Blog](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog) [Sign In](https://app.afroform.com/login?utm_source=HeaderNav) [Sign up](https://app.afroform.com/register?utm_source=HeaderNav) ## Malatsi Wants South Africa’s AI Policy Back on Track After False Start ![images (5)](https://afroform.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images%20(5).jpg?width=739&height=415&name=images%20(5).jpg)South Africa wants to regain momentum on its national artificial intelligence policy after a drafting scandal forced the government to withdraw its first attempt. Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi says the government remains confident that Cabinet will finalise a replacement policy before the end of March 2027, with public consultation expected to begin in April. The revised timeline follows months of delays after the original draft was found to contain fictitious academic references. The incident raised questions about the document’s credibility and how generative AI had been used during its preparation. For South Africa, the challenge now extends beyond producing another policy document. The government must restore confidence in its policymaking process while establishing a framework that supports AI innovation and protects the public. ## How South Africa’s AI Policy Went Off Track The draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy was approved by Cabinet in March 2026 and published for public comment in April. It set out the government’s ambitions for AI adoption and governance, including proposals for stronger ethical oversight, institutional coordination and support for innovation. However, the draft came under scrutiny after fictitious references were identified in its bibliography. An internal review confirmed that the references were not genuine, prompting Malatsi to withdraw the document in April. The minister described the failure as a serious blow to the policy’s integrity and credibility. The withdrawal was intended to allow the government to correct the problems before presenting a revised version. The incident also exposed a contradiction: a policy intended to guide the responsible use of artificial intelligence had itself been compromised by the undisclosed and inadequately checked use of AI-generated material. ## Accountability Remains Part of the Process The department has also faced questions about responsibility for the failed draft. According to the latest report, two officials were suspended over the matter. One has since resigned, while disciplinary proceedings involving the other official remain ongoing. Malatsi has said the incident cannot simply be allowed to pass without consequences. The department has also committed to reviewing its policy development processes and strengthening its approach to responsible AI use. These steps will be important to rebuilding confidence. AI tools can help officials research, analyse and prepare policy documents, but their outputs still require proper verification. Fabricated references are not merely a technical problem; they can undermine the evidence on which public decisions are based. ## A New Timeline for the Replacement Policy The government has appointed an independent panel of experts to help review and rebuild the policy. The panel is led by Professor Benjamin Rosman of the University of the Witwatersrand’s Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery Institute. Its work includes examining the original draft, identifying material that needs to be revised or removed, and ensuring the replacement is grounded in credible evidence. Malatsi says he remains confident that the revised policy can be finalised by Cabinet before the end of March 2027. Public consultation is expected to follow in April. The timetable gives the government several months to address the original shortcomings. It also means South Africa’s AI policy ambitions will have to wait longer for a complete national framework. The revised process will need to bring together government departments, researchers, businesses, civil society and the public. Their input will be important in determining how AI should be adopted, what safeguards are necessary and where the country should focus its investment. ## What the Policy Could Mean for South Africa’s Tech Sector A credible national AI policy could help establish clearer expectations for businesses, public institutions and developers using the technology. The original draft included proposals addressing ethical AI adoption, institutional oversight and avenues for redress when AI is used improperly. Malatsi has indicated that much of its substantive direction remains valuable, despite the problems with its references. For startups and established technology companies, clear rules can help reduce uncertainty around developing and deploying AI products. For citizens, a sound framework should explain how rights and dignity will be protected when automated systems influence decisions or handle personal information. South Africa also faces a wider economic question: how to encourage innovation without leaving risks such as discrimination, unreliable automated decisions and misuse of personal data unaddressed. Getting that balance right will require more than establishing new institutions or publishing guidelines. The policy must be practical enough to implement and supported by the technical expertise, resources and accountability mechanisms needed to make it effective. ## Rebuilding Trust Is as Important as Finishing the Policy South Africa’s AI policy setback has delayed an important part of its digital agenda, but the replacement process also presents an opportunity to improve how technology policy is developed. The immediate priorities are clear: verify the evidence, establish responsibility for the earlier failure and produce a framework that reflects the realities of AI adoption in the country. The government’s revised timeline sets out the next milestones, but confidence will ultimately depend on the quality of the final document and how effectively it is implemented. South Africa wants to play a leading role in AI governance across Africa. To do that, it will need a policy built on credible research, meaningful public input and responsible use of the very technology it seeks to govern. ## From the blog ![Malatsi Wants South Africa’s AI Policy Back on Track After False Start](https://afroform.com/hubfs/images%20(5).jpg) [African Tech](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/african-tech), [artificial intelligence in Africa](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/artificial-intelligence-in-africa), [AI investment](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/ai-investment), [South Africa AI policy](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/south-africa-ai-policy), [Solly Malatsi](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/solly-malatsi), [digital policy](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/digital-policy), [ai regulations](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/ai-regulations) ### [Malatsi Wants South Africa’s AI Policy Back on Track After False Start South Africa wants to regain momentum on its national artificial intelligence policy after a drafting scandal forced the government to withdraw its first attempt.](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/malatsi-wants-south-africas-ai-policy-back-on-track-after-false-start) [Deborah Sanni](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/author/deborah-sanni) [Deborah Sanni](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/author/deborah-sanni) October 16, 2026 · 4 mins read ![South Africa MOI Rules for Company Registration](https://assets.seobotai.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=75,w=1536,h=1024/afroform.com/6ad16d45df911b15a02d5b5f-1792111716680.jpg) [expand business in Africa](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/expand-business-in-africa) ### [South Africa MOI Rules for Company Registration Choose the right MOI and fix ownership and voting rules before registering to avoid governance headaches later.](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/company-registration-south-africa-moi-rules) [Deborah Sanni](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/author/deborah-sanni) [Deborah Sanni](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/author/deborah-sanni) October 16, 2026 · 7 mins read ![Digital Company Registration in Africa: Study 2026](https://assets.seobotai.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=75,w=1536,h=1024/afroform.com/6aceca44df911b15a02d4e42-1791939257695.jpg) [expand business in Africa](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/tag/expand-business-in-africa) ### [Digital Company Registration in Africa: Study 2026 Compare online filing, foreign-founder rules, costs and timelines across African markets; plan incorporation separately from trading.](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/digital-company-registration-africa-study) [Deborah Sanni](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/author/deborah-sanni) [Deborah Sanni](https://afroform.com/africa-business-registration-blog/author/deborah-sanni) October 14, 2026 · 10 mins read ## Footer [![logo-200x50](https://afroform.com/hubfs/logo-200x50.svg "logo-200x50")](https://afroform.com/) We make launching a company and getting established in Africa fast & hassle-free by working with a network of vetted local partners. 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