Members of the National Council of Provinces’ Ad Hoc Committee on the Protection of State Information Bill who attended the Kuruman, in the Northern Cape public hearings say they are satisfied with the community’s input on the proposed legislation.
The leader of the Group 2 delegation, Mr Amos Matila told people at the packed Gasegonyane Community Hall that their province was the last one to have public hearings on the Bill. “These hearings were not a futile exercise. We heard your voices and we are now on course to present the report (on public opinion regarding the Bill) to the Chamber,” said Mr Matila.
The Kuruman community proposed various amendments to the Bill, including a review of the clause 18 (1) which gives heads of organs of state the authority to review classified information and to establish a Classification Review Panel. This clause is found in Chapter 6 of the Bill and states that, “the head of an organ of state must at least every 10 years review the classified status of all classified information held by the organ of state”.
Other proposals by the Kuruman community included:
- The review of penalties for transgressors of the Bill
- An introduction of an independent classification body which would determine the kind of Information to be classified or declassified
- A reduction to maximum protection periods.
Committee members voiced their appreciation to the community and promised that all their submissions would be considered by the Committee when it deliberated on the Bill in Parliament.
Organised groups and members of the public still have an opportunity to make their presentations to the Committee at public hearings on 13 to 14 March in Parliament.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Leader of Group 2 delegation, please contact:
Mlindi Mpindi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 073 197 1315
Tel: 021 403 2340
E-mail: mmpindi@parliament.gov.za
