ANC MP Turok raises concerns about Info Bill
ANC MP Ben Turok, one of the ruling party’s members who did not vote for the Protection of State Information Bill yesterday, has explained his stand. Turok says there have been many amendments to the Bill and that many MP’s don’t understand the latest version.
“What alarms me is that different people are placing different interpretations on this legislation. I think we should go forward and take more time and ensure that we all have the same understanding of the purpose of the Bill. The NCOP should delay it, we need another 6 months, we need a lot more consultation and we need that people, the public should read the damn thing,” says Turok.
Meanwhile, economists see passing of the Protection of State Information Bill as one of the factors in the continuing weakness of the rand.
Analysts say the National Assembly’s vote in favour of the so-called ‘secrecy bill’ is worrying investors, who fear it could make it easier for the government to hide corruption.
The rand has lost 21 % against the US dollar this year and is currently trading at weaker than R8.40 to the dollar. Investors are also worried by an inflation outlook that’s dampened hopes of a rate cut and the ongoing debt troubles in Europe and the United States.
What alarms me is that different people are placing different interpretation on this legislation. I think we should go forward and take more time and ensure that we all have the same understanding of the purpose of the bill
Civil Organisation – Abahlali Basemjondolo – has meanwhile reacted with disappointment at the National Assembly’s approval of the Protection of State Information Bill. Several political parties have also condemned Parliament’s decision and have said they will approach the Constitutional Court if President Jacob Zuma signs the Bill into law.
Abahlali’s Sbu Zikode says this Bill will take the country back to the days of apartheid as it seeks to take away journalists’ right to report freely.
Despite mass protests around the country and pleas to all Members of Parliament, the Protection of Information Bill was passed yesterday through the National Assembly. But, opposition party members have made it very clear that they will take their fight against the Bill all the way to the Constitutional Court to test its constitutionality.