R1,3 billion could be swept under the carpet on failed housing projects, because it has been declared a secret.Maintenance funds on inner-city prototype high-rise buildings, flagship projects and soccer stadiums could become national security issues, and we would never know.
15 Years of government Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) research could be classified a secret and more than the few of you who know would know even less....
Like how much it has cost so far...
What is the Secrecy Bill?The Protection of Information Bill – or the Secrecy Bill – says that its aim is to regulate how valuable state information is handled and protected, so that it is not lost, destroyed, altered or given to the wrong people. It provides ways to classify and to declassify information, and establishes a database of declassified information for the public. It also makes it criminal to spy on South Africa.
Why should you take action?
The Right2Know Campaign believes that the Secrecy Bill undermines access to information. The Bill would allow any government department – from the Natal Sharks Board to your local municipality – to classify public information as secret. Anything and everything can potentially be classified as secret if it is in the ‘national interest’. Anyone involved in the ‘unauthorised’ handling and disclosure of classified information can be prosecuted.The disclosure even of some information which is not formally classified can land citizens in jail. This will lead to self-censorship and have a chilling effect on free speech.
What can you do?
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Wednesday 27 October - Right2Know March to Parliament - Gathering in Kaizersgracht Street, Cape Town @ 9h30
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