The ANC has set up a committee to consider further public submissions on the Protection of State Information Bill after postponing the parliamentary vote on the bill last week.
“The committee will be responsible for co-ordinating public engagement with representatives from civil society, non-governmental and community-based organisations and interested individuals on the draft bill,” the office of ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga said on Tuesday.
The committee would hold public meetings across the country to hear people's views on the bill.
A special ANC study group would consider written and oral submissions from interested parties in Parliament.
Submissions should be e-mailed to [email protected], faxed to 086-731-6737 or mailed to ANC Information Bill Office, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8001.
Enquiries about the process could be directed to Silverton Ntushelo on 021-403-2643.
The bill seeks to regulate the classification of state information, but it has drawn unprecedented opposition with critics saying it fails to balance the need to protect national security with the constitutional imperative of transparency. - Sapa