Parliament extends public comment period on contentious Spy Bill to February
The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, which has drawn strong criticism from civil society, proposes new regulations related to security vetting and spying.
FILE: Refurbishment after Parliament was gutted by a fire in January 2022. Picture: Supplied
CAPE TOWN - Parliament is extending the public comment period on a proposed new intelligence law that has drawn strong criticism from civil society.
The ad hoc committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill will on Tuesday be meeting with residents of Tzaneen for a second day of hearings in Limpopo.
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On Monday, Musina residents used the occasion to complain about the security situation in the area.
The committee said owing to the December holiday period, it will be extending the deadline for written submissions on the so-called Spy Bill from the end of January to 15 February.
The bill proposes new regulations related to security vetting and spying.
The ad hoc committee is on a tight deadline to report back to the National Assembly by 1 March.
It’s already received over 6,000 written submissions to the bill, which proposes reverting to two state security agencies - one for foreign matters and the other for domestic.
On Monday, some Musina residents said the bill was not translated and adequately explained to them before the public hearings.
Instead, they took the opportunity to lament crime, corrupt officials, poor border control and unemployment in the country’s far northern town.
“We are experiencing a high-volume problem with SAPS [South African Police Service] and the soldiers when we speak about bribes,” said Peter Jack, a South African National Civic Organisation representative.
Committee chairperson Jerome Maake said despite not being relevant to the bill, the community’s complaints will be included in the committee’s report and relayed to the relevant departments.