Walking into the Sandton offices of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) tells you more than you need to know about the regulator. There are dead flowers at reception and the distinct smell of stale food infused with industrial cleaner at the stairwell.

Upstairs, litter lies on the lobby floor, below a notice board haphazardly plastered with government notices. Before reaching Paris Mashile’s office, we pass yet another dying bouquet.