Solly Malatsi Withdraws Draft National AI Policy Over Fictitious Sources

Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies , has announced the withdrawal of the country’s Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy after it was found to contain fictitious sources in its reference list. The draft had been published for public comment before the issue was identified and confirmed through internal review.

Malatsi said the inclusion of false references was not a minor technical oversight but a serious failure that undermined the integrity and credibility of the policy. As a result, the document has been formally withdrawn. He acknowledged that the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies had fallen short of the standards expected of an institution responsible for shaping the country’s digital policy environment.

According to the minister, the most likely cause of the issue was the inclusion of AI-generated citations that were not properly verified. He stressed that such lapses highlight the importance of strong human oversight when using artificial intelligence in official processes, particularly in policymaking.

Malatsi said the department is treating the matter with urgency and seriousness, adding that steps will be taken to ensure accountability. He confirmed that consequence management will follow for those responsible for drafting and quality assurance of the document.

The minister emphasized that South Africans “deserve better” and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining credibility and trust in the development of national digital policies.