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Jacob Zuma the South African President on Thursday sent a secrecy bill back to the lawmakers to rework “irrational “ clauses.

This move is seen as a threat to investigative journalists and whistle blowers.
“I am of the view that the bill as it stands does not pass the constitutional muster,” he told journalists in Cape Town.

In April the information bill was passed by parliament and sent to Zuma to be signed into law.
This was not in favour with activists who said it promoted government corruption.
The National Assembly has been presented with the bill for reconsideration, due to the way it targets protection of sensitive material Zuma said.

The Protection of State Information Bill – lacked “meaning and coherence” and were “irrational” and “unconstitutional,” said Zuma.
“I realised that there are sections that needed to be fixed,” he added.

Faults identified with sections dealing with the failure to report the possession of classified information, and on the improper classification of material.Cases relating to espionage attract a 25 year jail term while holding or disclosing classified material attracts a five year prison sentence.
The bill first mooted in 2008, is meant to replace an apartheid-era law. It has already gone through several amendments.

Media and human rights groups opposed the bill which is likely to persecute whistleblowers and stifle press freedom.
A few years ago South African journalists made use of leaked documents and exposed high-level graft blamed on officials of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Zuma was among the implicated and appeared in court on charges relating to an arms deal, just before Zuma became President of South Africa the charges were dropped
Press reporting has also led to allegations that Zuma spent tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ cash to renovate his private home.

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