Dr. Pieter Mulder: VF Plus-leier, Stemverklaring: Wetsontwerp op die Beskerming van Inligting, Parliament, November 22 2011:

Democracy is much more than just free elections and an effective opposition. Which country in Africa has the strongest opposition in terms of numbers? The answer: Zimbabwe. But without whistleblowers and with comprehensive limitations on the media, the Zimbabwean opposition is paralysed when it comes to exposing corruption.

With this legislation we are regressing in this direction. In an effective democracy the opposition needs a variety of instruments to be functional. These include regular elections, a functional parliament with frequent question time, free media, auditor general, financial statements, etc. Without these instruments you end up with a paralysed opposition and a cosmetic democracy.

Natuurlik het elke land wetgewing wat staatsveiligheid en militêre geheime beskerm. Ons is nie daarteen nie, maar die VF Plus gaan teen hierdie wetgewing stem omdat ons glo dat hierdie wetgewing baie vêrder as dit gaan. Ek wil 'n beroep op die ANC doen om met 'n belangrike saak soos hierdie sy parlementslede toe te laat om elkeen vrylik volgens sy gewete te stem.

Hulle argumenteer dat die doel van die wetgewing nie is om korrupsie toe te smeer of die media te muilband nie. Ons is oortuig dat hierdie wetgewing wel dit gaan doen. Bring die nodige wysigings aan die wetgewing aan of laat u lede toe om elkeen vrylik volgens sy gewete te stem. Die VF Plus gaan teen hierdie wetgewing stem.

Section 80 of the Constitution reads as follow:

1. "Members of the National Assembly may apply to the Constitutional Court for an order declaring that all or part of an Act of Parliament is unconstitutional.

2. An application -

(a) Must be supported by at least one third of the members..."

The FF Plus now calls on all members of opposition parties in the House to sign such a petition.

Issued by the FF Plus, November 22 2011

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