Mixed feelings about Secrecy Bill

Information access sorted… People still need more time to peruse the Protection of Information Bill.

Free State citizens were broadly supportive of the controversial Protection of Information Bill during the public hearings held in the province this week. There were, however, a few who felt it would spell moral decay for
the country.

The Bill provides for the classification and declassification of state information, methods of classifying state information, and classification level. It repeals the Protection of Information Act, 1982 (Act No. 84 of 1982). It also confers on the head of an organ of state or a member at a senior level the authority to classify or declassify state information.

The general view that was put across during the hearings held at the Bram Fischer Hall in Bloemfontein was that it was long overdue. Participants cited examples from the previous government where the community was not involved in the decision-making process and had no idea what a bill or legislation meant to their lives.

“We need to understand that this does not hinder the right to access information but there will be limitations on access of state information. We support further progression of this piece of legislation. It strikes a good balance between the classification of state information for security reasons and access to information,” Kelebohile Monnapule from Botshabelo told The Weekly.

Thabo Lehu asked the Ad Hoc Committee on the Protection of State Information Bill what measures were in place to ensure that ordinary people access and understand
the Bill.

“This is because in the centre of this bill is the need to love our country. I also want to know what is the role of local government to ensure that people are well informed about this Bill?”
Sibusiso Tshabalala expressed concern that the Bill may create tension between civil society and government. He said that it might encourage lack of accountability by the government.

Tony Carter from Botshabelo said he was in the dark about what the Bill is about.

“I am very confused. I propose next time Parliament must take into consideration that these things need to be explained to us before we are called to comment on them. This will give us time to peruse these bills and know what kind of an input is expected of us.

“I support the fact that we need to protect access to information by foreigners that can pose danger to our security in the country.”

The chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Raseriti Tau, said the level of participation by the public in Mangaung was encouraging.

“This is definitely an improvement from the initial round of these hearings, where people, for the better part and understandably so, raised issues not necessarily related to the Bill. Today, we have seen a step up as people gave input making specific reference to certain clauses of the Bill.

“The initial rounds of the public hearings were held in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. In those areas, community members raised service delivery concerns and in some parts the turnout was not ideal.”

Tau added that people had heeded the call by the committee to familiarise themselves with the content of the Bill.

Those who gave inputs said they hoped their views would be considered when a final decision on the Bill is made.