The National Assembly’s Adhoc Committee has adopted the Protection of State Information Bill dubbed the Secrecy Bill (POSIB), despite objections from opposition parties.
SABC reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA), COPE and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) have raised concerns to the Bill. The DA says the bill might not be constitutional as it may infringe on the power of provinces in some respects.
According to th committee chairperson, Cecil Burgess, the Bill is expected to be debated and finalised in the National Assembly on Thursday.
The bill was passed with amendments by the National Council of Provinces last November. It was initially introduced to parliament by Ronnie Kasrils, the former State Security Minister, in 2008, who has since resigned and become one of its staunchest opponents.
The Bill allows public officials the right to classify any information as secret
POSIB was formerly known as the Protection of Information Bill.
The Bill allows public officials the right to classify any information as secret and impose 25-year jail sentences on those who publish ‘classified’ information.
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