Draft National AI Policy withdrawn for independent review
The Minister announced that the draft policy would be withdrawn and an Independent Expert Review Panel appointed before a credible policy is reintroduced.
Draft national AI policy published in April 2026 and subsequently withdrawn by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in May 2026 pending independent expert review and a revised policy process. It is retained here as a material policy-development record, not as current enforceable policy.
Historical and policy-development context for South African public and private-sector AI governance; institutions should monitor the replacement policy process rather than treat this withdrawn draft as operative policy.
Withdrawn in May 2026; not enforceable. CRG treats it as a historical policy signal and maintains a watch on the replacement process.
The Minister announced that the draft policy would be withdrawn and an Independent Expert Review Panel appointed before a credible policy is reintroduced.
Draft national AI policy published in April 2026 and subsequently withdrawn by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in May 2026 pending independent expert review and a revised policy process. It is retained here as a material policy-development record, not as current enforceable policy.
Track the replacement policy process and maintain governance controls that can adapt to the revised national policy and later sector-specific requirements.
Actor: South African institutions · Domain: governance
Evidence: Policy gap assessment, regulatory watchlist and adaptable control mapping.
Cybatar's mapping is designed for AI governance and assurance work. Legal interpretation remains anchored to the current primary text and competent authority guidance.
Open Government of South Africa source