Information Bill: Public can send e-mails to President Zuma personally
AfriForum today activated a website from where members of the public can send messages to the State President's personal e-mail address to object to the Protection of Information Bill. This step and the site - www.thebillstopshere.co.za - are part of a five-point action plan by means of which AfriForum wants to encourage the public to get involved in the battle for freedom of information in South Africa.
"As this is a judicial process, the battle against the Bill has to a great extent rested in the hands of opposition parties. However, the status quo is changing and the major battle is only starting now," Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, said.
"Even if this means that we have to take this matter to the United Nations, we will not rest until we have succeeded in putting an end to this legislation."
The e-mails will be sent as a petition to President Jacob Zuma's personal e-mail address, as well as to that of his assistant. Petitioners only have to fill in their details on the site in order to take part in this protest action. AfriForum intends to use this petition as part of legal action against the Bill and, if necessary, to take it to the United Nations. Members of the public can also contribute R10-00 towards the cost of the legal action by SMSing the word "FORUM" to 38655.
By means of this function, the public will send the following e-mail to the State President:
"I, the undersigned South African citizen, would hereby like to state my concerns about the so-called "Protection of State Information Bill". I am of the opinion that the Bill in its current form will be detrimental to the principle of accountability and effective government in South Africa; that it will have a negative impact on the fight against corruption; and that it will severely curtail the role of the media as watchdog. I hereby request that you prevent this Bill from becoming a law by refraining from signing it"
"It seems as though most members of the ruling party simply ignore the public's appeals in this regard. As soon as the President adds his signature to this document, it will become the most devastating piece of legislation of the last 20 years. Should it be called for to flood the President's e-mail address with complaints by members of the public, we will do so with the greatest of pleasure," Roets said.
More information regarding AfriForum's campaign against the Information Bill, including letters to Parliament, a legal opinion on the constitutionality thereof, as well as an explanation of the negative impact that the legislation will have, can also be found on the site. The website has a very simple structure to ensure that it will be easily accessible, even from a cell phone. People who already are on leave will therefore still be able to take two minutes to send an e-mail to the President.
"The ruling party has a distorted view of democracy. Democracy is primarily concerned with protection. When destructive and unconstitutional, Bills are steamrolled by Parliament in spite of the public's outcry against such legislation. It is undemocratic, whether the majority of the members of Parliament accept it or not," Roets said.
To support AfriForum's five-point action plan against the Information Bill, people are invited to do the following:
1. Visit the website (www.thebillstopshere.co.za<www.thebillstopshere.co.za>) and send an e-mail of protest to the State President from it;
2. Donate R10-00 towards AfriForum's legal costs by SMSing the word "FORUM" to 38655;
3. Become informed and understand why this legislation will be to the detriment of the rights of all;
4. Become involved in organisations that oppose the Bill; and
5. Garner support by asking as many others as possible to also take these five steps.
Statement issued by Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, November 29 2011
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