Zuma still mulling controversial bills

Secrecy and private security legislation awaits signing

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma appears to have at least, so far, buckled under pressure by not signing into law two controversial bills a few years after Parliament approved them.

For the past three years, Zuma has stalled in signing into law the Protection of State Information Bill, dubbed the Secrecy Bill, and the Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Bill.

Zuma’s office had at the time of publication not responded on the delays in the president assenting to the two laws.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies last week denied that US lobbyists had pushed against the signing into law of the Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Bill.

He said their discussions on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) renewal had not included aspects on the Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Bill.

The bill calls for foreignowned security companies to give up 51 percent of their stake in the private security companies to local companies.

Some business people and US lobbyists are believed to have urged the government not to press ahead in implementing this legislation.

Zuma has been sitting on the bill for almost two years after it was approved by Parliament in February 2014.

The private security industry is said to generate R50 bil- lion a year, and it employs thousands.

The official opposition DA has described it as “job-killing” legislation.

Meanwhile, Zuma has since April 2013, when Parliament approved the Protection of State Information Bill, not lifted a finger in signing this controversial piece of legislation into law.

The bill has been fought off by the media and some legislators, as they argued that it would muzzle the media by proposing stiff sentences for journalists with state secrets.

The DA has threatened to go all the way to the Constitutional Court because of its intrusive nature in journalistic and public space.