State Security Agency slams the so-called Secrecy bill critics

By Khanyisa Tabata
21 November 2011

The State Security Agency has slammed the criticism of the proposed protection of state information bill as sensationalism.

The agency says that the bill will not lead to censorship or information blackouts, and actually does make provision for access to state information.

This comes as the National Assembly prepares to vote on the bill tomorrow. The agency also says that the bill has been drastically narrowed down to apply only to state security departments.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj has convened a press briefing tomorrow where he is expected on give clarity on the role he played as Transport Minister in the controversial arms deal.

This comes after the Mail and Guardian newspaper revealed its plans to approach the director of public prosecutions Menzi Simelanle in an effort to publish a story about Maharaj.

The newspaper was barred from publishing the story last week as they are not allowed to reveal confidential information that Maharaj had given to the Scorpions about the arms deal.