13 9 02
Cape Town - The controversial Regulation of Interception of Communications Bill
was approved by the National Assembly's justice and constitutional development
committee on Friday.
Committee chairperson Johnny de Lange said afterwards that the bill would be
debated in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
It will then go to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
The measure, first introduced as the Interception and Monitoring Bill, initially
drew sharp criticism from the public and organisations that believed it
interfered with the constitutional right to privacy.
Essentially, the bill allows the state and law enforcement agencies to intercept
and monitor the electronic and postal communications, including calls made on
cell phones, of ordinary South Africans.
Prior judicial sanction is required for all orders allowing interception or
monitoring, but exceptions are made for emergency situations or cases where life
is in danger.
Among other things, it also requires telecommunications service providers to
install the equipment that makes interception and monitoring possible.
The government hopes that the measure will help in the fight against crime, as
telecommunications are increasingly being used by organised crime, and in heists
and other serious violent crimes.
Most opposition parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party and the New
National Party, have indicated their support for the bill during deliberations
in the committee.
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