The Ministry of State Security welcomes the latest developments on the Protection of State Information Bill. Today, the National Assembly passed this bill, moving it a step closer to becoming law once the President has signed it.
As we have always maintained, this bill seeks to deal with present and clear challenges of protecting valuable state information against alteration, loss and destruction which would ensure citizens are not inconvenienced unnecessarily. Further the bill provides for the classification, reclassification and declassification of sensitive information which later becomes accessible. By repealing the apartheid classification act of 1992 and criminalising espionage and hostile activities against the republic, the bill would contribute to an improved national security status of the republic.
Since the introduction of this bill in 2010, it has undergone a number of welcome amendments, which were done through a protracted process of engagement with various stakeholders in Parliament and in civil society.
It is our view that this process has enriched the bill, creating a better balance between the constitutional provisions of access to information and the limitation of that access in the interest of advancing our national security.
The additional strengthening of the whistleblowers protection and exposing corruption and other illegal activities are some of the important features of this bill. The concerns around the public interest defence have also been considered and accommodated within reason, although some have argued these do not go far enough.
Against this backdrop, any opposition that remains on this bill is, in our view, more a question of policy preference, a matter that will always remain the subject of discussion in a democratic country such as ours.
As a constitutional democracy, our country has learnt valuable lessons from this experience that has lasted a little more than three years. Going forward, we will continue to appreciate the value of public engagement on matters of policy development, as a people driven government. We also continue to recognise that ours is a caring government that always stands ready to listen to the inputs made by our people and to respond practically thereto.
As we have always maintained, the calls for a constitutional court challenge of this bill are taken in the spirit of our country being a constitutional democracy. We would therefore welcome such an action as it is provided for by our constitution and indeed there is nothing to fear in this regard.
Enquiries:
Brian Dube: Head of Communication
Cell: 082 418 3389
