Zuma signs ‘Spy Bill’ into law
JOBURG - President Jacob Zuma has signed the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill also known as the 'Spy Bill' into law.
JOBURG – President Jacob Zuma has signed the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill also known as the ‘Spy Bill’ into law.
Spokesperson in the Presidency Mac Maharaj said the main purpose of the Bill was to amend three Acts of Parliament which related to security services, and to repeal an Act which had become obsolete due to the consolidation of the intelligence structures.
He said three Acts were amended within that structure which included the National Strategic Intelligence Act 1994, the Intelligence Services Oversight Act 1994 and the Intelligence Services Act 2002.
“The Bill seeks to repeal the Electronic Communications Security Act 2002. Provision is furthermore made for suitable transitional provisions and savings which are necessitated by the amalgamation of the entities concerned,” said Maharaj. “Lastly, the Bill seeks to amend a number of laws in order to bring them in line with the new security service dispensation.”
The Right to Know campaign spokesperson Murray Hunter said the signing of the Bill was not the problem.
“The problem is that the Bill seems to give too much power and a mandate for state security institutions, where it goes much beyond what is needed.”
He said the campaign wanted a law that would fully protect the public from possible abuse from State Security Agencies.
Meanwhile, the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill is awaiting President Jacob Zuma’s signature before it becomes law, pending Outa’s legal challenge which is set to resume in September.
