Hon Deputy Speaker, Deputy President, hon members, fellow South Africans, today, as we debate the adoption the Protection of State Information Bill during the week of Freedom Day, we are confident that it is addressing the concerns of our people as we continue to uphold the power that belongs to them.
The main objects of the Bill remains, firstly, to protect valuable state information against alteration, loss, or destruction, which will ensure that our citizens are not denied their rights. The Bill, for example, protects people from being married by people they don't know or that their companies are highjacked. Secondly, it is to provide for the classification, reclassification, and declassification of sensitive information which will protect it while it's sensitive and later enable our people access through a declassification system which we are introducing. Thirdly, it aims to repeal the apartheid Protection of Information Act of 1982 that remains uncomfortable on our statute books today. Lastly, it is to criminalise espionage and hostile activities, and improve the security of the Republic from attempts to make it a banana republic. Hon members, it bears repeating that the Bill was subjected to public and extensive amendments or even redrafting by the National Assembly committee after listening to the calls and demands of our people. These major changes were supported by all the parties, except for a few clauses relating to public interest, or public domain defence clauses. Furthermore, the NCOP ad hoc committee innovated and found new ways of bridging this gap. If you look at section 41 of the Bill today, whistle-blowers are even more protected. The acts of corruption are criminalised. So, there is no one who can hide corruption through this Act.
The National Assembly ad hoc committee has again reconsidered the Bill and amendments from the NCOP, which were adopted after deliberations. By all standards and accounts, this Bill now fully addresses all legitimate concerns raised by the public. It is an immensely improved Bill despite the protestation you may find today. We have done this because we are a caring government as the President has indicated during the state of the nation address this year.
What actually remains at the heart of our differences, appears to be more policy preferences, which, in our view, may be portrayed by others as constitutional concerns.
The Protection of State Information Bill seeks to strengthen our democracy while balancing transparency and protecting our national security and national interests. I thus call on all the members of this House to support the Bill. I thank you very much.