POLITICAL BUREAU
FORMER intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils, who introduced the Protection of Information Bill to Parliament in 2008, says the rush to complete the proposed law could lead to “huge problems”.
In an open letter, Kasrils wrote: “I hate to envisage the unforeseen consequences. It will certainly undermine public trust in the intelligence and security services at a time when confidence needs to be built.”
This comes as the ad hoc committee processing the bill began clause-by-clause voting on the revised version last week, brushing aside concerns over sweeping powers to classify information it would grant government officials and harsh penalties for anyone making classified information public.
The revised bill was introduced last year by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele.
“What is of concern is the proposed legislation is excessively broad and unfocused; certain of the penalties… are consequently extremely harsh and the crucial need for a ‘public interest’ defence clause is ignored,” Kasrils said. “Since freedom of expression is a dearly won principle of our liberation struggle, it needs to be treated as sacrosanct outside the narrow national-security sphere. This must allow the public to gain access on a ‘public interest’ argument as a successful way of the media uncovering government incompetence where it may occur.”