Mr Speaker, hon Deputy President, it is our experience that most opponents of this Bill have not actually read the Bill. [Interjections.] Today's events confirm that view. The ANC supports the Protection of State Information Bill because it repeals P W Botha's 1982 Protection of Information Act. [Applause.] Those opposed to this Bill want P W Botha's 1982 Act to remain in our statute books.
The ANC supports the Protection of State Information Bill because it will help bring closure to the family and relatives of people like the late Ahmed Timol who was murdered under mysterious and, as yet, undisclosed circumstances. Those who are opposed to this Bill don't want those families and relatives to reach closure or for the truth surrounding their murders to be revealed.
Opponents of this Bill refer to the lack of a public interest defence in the Bill as reason for its rejection.