The National Council of Provinces’ Ad Hoc Committee on the Protection of State Information Bill has asked community leaders not to 'mislead' people.
“I appeal to community leaders to stop confusing our people – this Bill is not about preventing people from accessing information on maladministration, fraud or corruption.
“This Bill makes provision to promote transparency and accountability in governance while recognising that state information may be protected from disclosure,” said Ms Nosipho Ntwanambi, who led the Committee delegation at the Mokopane (Limpopo) public hearings on the Bill.
According to Ms Ntwanambi, the Bill seeks to strengthen the Promotion of Access to Information Act as well as to repeal the Protection of Information Act of 1982. It also intends criminalising espionage and activities hostile to the Republic of South Africa.
“As Parliament, we rely on community leaders to play their active role of ensuring that their constituencies have the accurate information and that they are properly briefed in order to make informed decisions on a number of issues affecting them. The same should apply to this Bill, leaders must provide the right information to the people,” said Ms Ntwanambi.
For media enquiries or interviews with Ms Ntwanambi, please contact:
Temba Gubula (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809
E-mail: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
