www.thesouthafrican.com
30 April - 6 May 2013
Issue 512
FREEDOM VS SECRECY: ‘THE FIGHT’S NOT OVER’
p3 | 11-year old Asanda Jezile: Britain’s Got Talent singing and dancing
by FLAMINIA GIAMBALVO
p11 | BP to invest more than R5 billion in South Africa’s next-generation clean fuel production
In the same week as South Africans at home and abroad celebrated our 19th year of democracy, the passing of the ‘secrecy bill’ leads some to fear that our freest days are already behind us It was somewhat ironic that two days before Freedom Day, the anniversary of South African democracy, the National Assembly passed the controversial secrecy bill in parliament. The much criticised Protection of State Information Bill, dubbed the secrecy bill, will increase the government’s power to restrict access to information and impose hefty fines and jail terms on whistleblowers and journalists who publish information the government classifies as secret. The legislation was passed on Thursday by 190 votes to 74 after a three-year battle in parliament during which it was modified several times due to complaints that it would unduly restrict freedom of the press. During Thursday’s debate Siyabonga Cwele, the state security minister, told parliament that the bill would “strengthen democracy while balancing transparency and protecting our national security and national interests.” The bill came under attack from opposition members, media groups and human rights campaigners. The South African National Editors’ Forum said President Zuma had the option of referring it directly to the Constitutional Court, the highest court in South Africa. It said the changes to the bill made by the upper house of parliament late last year had improved the legislation in “important ways”. “But they do not go far enough” said a spokesperson for the group. “The bill still has the potential to be used as an instrument
UK Immigration • UK Visas • Permits • EEA visas • Residency • Citizenship • Appeals • Sponsorship Licences South African Immigration
INSIDE:
p5 | Brixham International Pirate Festival raises the Jolly Roger this weekend
BRAAI THE WAY: South Africans from London and as far afield as Oxford, Essex, Berkshire and Cornwall gathered in Wimbledon Park on Saturday for an informal braai to celebrate Freedom Day. Photo by Heather Walker. See more pics on www.thesouthafrican.com/photos
of secrecy in a democracy that can only thrive in a climate of openness, he added.” The most notable amendment to date has been the addition of a public interest clause which offers protection to journalists and whistleblowers. However, Murray Hunter, a spokesperson for the Right2Know human rights group campaigning against the bill, said “Our legal advisers warn
that it contains loopholes. At best, there is ambiguity over whether whistleblowers are protected.” More worrying still, according to Right2Know, the definition of “espionage” remains unclear. “There is a real fear that this bill can’t tell the difference between people publishing information for social justice reasons and those doing it for private gain or with
malevolent intent.” “This fight is not over,” said Lindiwe Mazibuko, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance. She argued that the proposed law had been “tabled within the context of a revived securocrat state”, noting the secrecy around the Marikana mine massacre and use of public funds on Zuma’s homestead upgrade.
0845 074 0514 info@bic-immigration.com www.bic-immigration.com
The Leading Name in UK Immigration
Third Floor, Cutlers Court, 115 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BR
Ref No. F201000144