Infrstructure bill allows for abuse: DA

President Jacob Zuma's private homestead, Nkandla File picture: Rogan Ward

President Jacob Zuma's private homestead, Nkandla File picture: Rogan Ward

Published Jun 30, 2016

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Durban - Nkandlagate could repeat itself if Parliament passes Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s draft Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill.

Zakhele Mbhele, an opposition DA MP, said the proposed bill “does nothing” to revise the draconian National Key Points Act of 1980 that “allowed for the abuse” of state funds at Nkandla.

The bill was published in May for public comment, and had since been closed, with the next step being to present it to the police portfolio committee.

The purpose of the bill, among other things, is to secure critical infrastructure against threats and to ensure that every critical infrastructure element complies with regulatory measures aimed at securing such infrastructure against threats.

“This proposed bill doesn’t go far enough to close the loopholes with regards to the national key points,” he said on Wednesday. “Three main problems are that it concentrates too much power in the minister’s hands, in that he can solely make a decision on what is a national key point without consulting Parliament.

“Secondly, the council is rendered toothless, and thirdly, the minister will report only once a year, while we feel that he should be reporting at least at quarterly intervals,” said Mbhele at a media briefing.

Mbhele said of great concern was that the list of critical infrastructure would remain secret. “This means, as is the case today, it would not be possible to know what is classified as critical infrastructure. This list should be made public, and available for public scrutiny.

“Equally, strict criteria for what should be classified as critical infrastructure is not set out in the bill. The requirements are vague, allowing for abuse and political meddling,” he said.

Daily News

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