A week ago today, the Protection of Information Bill was passed in South Africa. Residents were urged to wear black as a sign of protest on, what was, a very Black Tuesday. For those who are unaware, this means that the governing party, the ANC, will now control what happens in the media.
In other words if President Jacob Zuma decides to fly his horde of wives and children to Mauritius using tax-payers money, we will be the last to know.
Another obvious reason that this “Secrecy Bill” is being put into place is to protect the several corrupt leaders and their BMW’s. After all, what damage would a little petty cash in the pocket make if no-one would be the wiser?
Yes, I can just imagine Jakes sitting in his expensive office, smoking a cigar and having a glass of champagne to celebrate his succesful scam. Maybe even planning to take wife number 20-something.
This Bill is a serious issue people. It authorises the burying of important reports which expose health service problems, delivery problems and corruption in several governmental departments. It also officially makes the posession of ”classified information” illegal which could lead to imprisonment.
If South Africa is a proud democracy then why did its citizens have no say in this matter?
Another interesting argument is that this very technique was used during the Apartheids years to cover up the murder in police custody of Steve Biko, beloved ANC leader. Isn’t it immoral that they insult his name by using this? To think that the ANC is replicating techniques from the NP that they so despised. An ironic observation to say the least.
Many iconic leaders have voiced their disagreement with this. Arch-bishop Desmond Tutu and his Holiness the Dalai Lama joined the ranks of protesters. If the ANC thinks this is over they are very much mistaken.
Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Our right to know what is happening in our country? How will we explain to the next generation why all the words are blacked out in newspapers?!
I do believe the media would like to say several things to president Zuma. Unfortunately swearwords lose their threat when all you see are a bunch of censory-blacked out bits!
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