ANC accused of dictating views on info bill

The following article was published online by IOL News

More than 800 people – including the public, NGOs, political party members and unions – filled the Rhoda Yende Hall in Sharpeville on Tuesday for the National Council of Provinces’ public hearing to gauge response to the proposed Protection of Information Bill.

Yet it felt more like an ANC roadshow to promote the act, rather then the actual aim of picking its details.

Panellist and DA spokesman Darryl North expressed concern, waving the proposed Protection of Information Bill document before the crowd.

He described his concerns with what he said was called the “criminalisation”,” of sharing secrets.

North’s view on the bill was clear.

“Without free information we wouldn’t have known about the arms deals.”

“What he is telling you is incorrect,” said the chair of the meeting and ANC parliamentarian Nosipho Ntwanambi.

“We are not here to argue for or against the bill. This is your time.”

Backing the chair, ANC spokeswoman Grace Boroto said: “We are talking about sensitive and violent information like espionage. We have so many threats, so we are trying to keep our country safe with this bill.”

The aim of the bill was to protect personal information “so you don’t find yourself married to someone else”.

Several people suggested that a public interest clause should be added.

“This public interest thing is disturbing… In the bill we don’t have that (public interest) right now, so we are not going to talk about it,” said Boroto.

Others questioned the bill’s ability to protect the corrupt.

Ntwanambi, said: “The bill does not protect the corrupt people. I don’t want to hear this in your submissions.”

Boroto chipped in: “Say something new. Something we haven’t heard before.”

When a few questions from the public referred to the bill as the “secrecy bill”, Ntwanambi corrected them immediately.

Lucky Ngobeni, a Motsoaledi Concerned Residents member, said: “I’m not happy with the way you are conducting this hearing. You are dictating. The bill is becoming a threat to our democracy and constitution.”

Boroto replied: “It is very dangerous to accuse us of being biased. We are simply driving the process to achieve outcomes.”

Ngobeni said later in an interview: “This meeting is unconstitutional. The chair won’t let us speak. If you don’t support the bill, you are cut, because she is from the ANC. Even the man from the DA was blocked.”

Phillip Dlamini, president of the SA Taxi Passengers Association, gave the final submission from the public. “I am totally opposed to the bill. It brings back bad memories of torture.”

Pointing at Ntwanambi, he said: “You are taking a position. You don’t want to hear what we have to say.”

Ntwanambi denied any forms of bias.

She said: “I am not here as ANC, but as a parliamentarian.”

The hearings now move to KZN. – The Star

Source IOL