Madam Deputy Speaker, in last week's reply to the state of the nation debate, President Zuma said that most of the corruption you read about in the media is exposed as a result of the work of government and its agencies. These are the words of a President who is completely disconnected from reality. South Africa's major corruption scandals have not been broken by government, but by the media and the opposition. These include the arms deal, Travelgate, Oilgate, the SA Police Service lease debacle and the Chancellor House scandal.
Nowhere is the government's attitude towards exposing corruption more clear than in its determination to see the Protection of Information Bill, better known as "the Secrecy Bill", pushed through Parliament in its current form. Should this Bill be passed, journalists and whistleblowers who report on what government deems secret will face up to 25 years in prison.
Madam Deputy Speaker, is it not misleading the House to say there is a Bill that is generally known as "the Secrecy Bill"? Is it in this House ... [Interjections.] ... the second name for the Bill? [Interjections.]
Continue, hon member.
It will be illegal to expose corruption and serious crime and the poorest, most vulnerable members of our society will continue to lose out as government resources are redirected away from service delivery. Government has a very patchy record on fighting corruption. While admittedly there are some successes, government needs to make an honest assessment of how effective it truly is. Unless we can end corruption, South Africa cannot be internationally competitive and cannot attract job- creating investment. Thank you. [Applause.]