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Alan Storey stands in front of parliament protesting against the Information Bill. Photo: Neil Baynes.
The Protection of State Information Bill (POIB) hearings in Gauteng could only be described as farcical; a poorly disguised attempt at public consultation on a matter of national interest, says Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson Refiloe Nt'sekhe.
Nt'sekhe was reacting to the hearings held on Tuesday by the National Council of Provinces' (NCOP) Ad-hoc committee into the POIB as part of the process to hear community concerns around the so-called “secrecy bill”.
He said that for a province of almost 10 million people, just two locations on a work-day were allocated by the NCOP committee.
“However, those people who were able to attend the hearings added their voices to the growing opposition against implementing the bill in its current form,” Nt'sekhe said.
He went on to say that under the guise of “public consultation”, this process amounted to nothing less than the NCOP committee bulldozing over any objections raised by the public.
“In fact, people who reiterated pressing national concerns, such as the inclusion of a public interest defence, were promptly called to order and silenced by the chair. It is unthinkable that the mere mention of a 'public interest clause', the issue at the very centre of public debate, is shut down in a public hearing. Similar responses were given to people who questioned the fact that Gauteng was only granted a single day for public consultation. One resident even noted to the chair: 'you seem to be dictating to us what you want us to say',” Nt'sekhe said.
He said the hearings started an hour late, but finished two hours early leaving many members of the public with unanswered questions. - I-Net Bridge
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viva ANC, wrote
Our government are our sheperds and we are just sheep. They are far greatr than us and we must not try to undurstand the tings they do...it is good that we not know what they do as they deserve to take what is thrs and i dont mind becuse maybee 1 day it will be my turn to do the same. Viva secricy
Anonymous, wrote
the bill will mean nothing!lol the boer maaks a plan!! we have brillant young men to twist the whole system! that´s all.
Anonymous, wrote
Of course a Farce! What did you expect?!?!? These ANCronies are dangerous! Messing up this country and its Democracy.....! H d P
Bas, wrote
I would like to remind all those ANC leaders who suffered terribly in the hands of apartheid operatives, that by supporting this bill they are giving away our hard fought freedom and are putting SA back into the abyss. One has to question then whether these gains on freedom were for nothing and whether they are merely acting like a bunch of hypocrites.
JennyN, wrote
Is it not ironic that the anc is resorting to the same tactics that the nats did in the years gone by? They are keeping the young uninformed and uneducated, thereby ensuring themselves of the “ignoran” vote, and they will now push through a bill that will put an end to press freedom, and allow them to continue with their [alleged] blatant theft, [alleged] nepotism, [alleged] corruption and [alleged] incompetence unabated. There is nothing that can possibly happen in our country (it is, after all, OUR country) that we should not know. They plan to simply hide behind this bill, and continue to make the South African public look like fools. The anc is a failure. They have failed at everything. They are a disgrace.
madoc, wrote
the anc can set up what ever bill they want but even a blind man will be able to tell you who is robbing and raping this country to death
madoc, wrote
the anc can set up what ever bill they want but even a blind man will be able to tell you who is [allegedly] robbing and [allegedly] raping this country to death
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