# South African Government Withdraws AI Policy Draft

South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) withdrew its Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy after discovering fabricated AI-generated sources within the document, undermining its credibility. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi announced the withdrawal and committed to consequence management for those responsible. The incident has prompted calls from the African National Congress (ANC) for Minister Malatsi to appear before Parliament to explain the oversight and ensure a more rigorous, human-driven consultative process in redrafting the policy. This development delays the establishment of a formal AI governance framework in South Africa, impacting future procurement and regulatory requirements related to AI technologies.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals and contractors should anticipate delays and revisions in AI-related government contracts and regulatory frameworks as the policy is redrafted with enhanced oversight.
- The incident underscores the critical need for stringent quality assurance and human oversight when integrating AI tools in government policy development.
- Organizations involved in AI technology provision or consulting should prepare for updated compliance and procurement criteria once the revised policy is released.
- Stakeholders may benefit from engaging with the consultative process to influence policy direction and ensure alignment with local innovation and job creation goals.

**Jurisdictions:** federal, sled
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** April 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT)
- African National Congress (ANC)
- Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies
- Cabinet of South Africa (Cabinet)

### Key Quotes
> In fact, this unacceptable lapse proves why vigilant human oversight over the 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. There will be consequence management for those responsible for drafting and quality assurance.
> — Solly Malatsi, Minister of Digital Technologies

> AI can be a very dangerous tool. If you’re not a subject matter expert, how would you be able to critically evaluate an AI’s output?
> — Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Regulatory Practice Head, Werksmans Attorneys

### Sources
- [ANC wants Malatsi dragged to Parly over botched draft AI policy | ITWeb](https://www.itweb.co.za/article/anc-wants-malatsi-dragged-to-parly-over-botched-draft-ai-policy/lwrKx73YENjqmg1o) - ITWeb
- [Ai-Generated Fake Sources Force SA Minister To Scrap Ai Policy Draft- iHarare News](https://iharare.com/ai-generated-fake-sources-force-sa-minister-to-scrap-ai-policy-draft) - iHarare News
- [Pressure mounts after SA AI policy cites fake sources - Pondoland Times](https://pondolandtimes.co.za/south-africa-news/article/pressure-mounts-after-sa-ai-policy-cites-fake-sources) - Pondoland Times