Bill is to protect state information but some fear it may be used like neighbouring Zimbabwe's privacy act to gag media.
"Last week South Africa's parliament voted in favour of a fiercely contested secrecy bill.
"The protection of state information bill, which will replace apartheid-era legislation on classified information and espionage, passed with 189 votes in favour to 74 against, with one abstention.
"President Jacob Zuma now has to sign and make it law. That could be as early as this week.
"The minister of state security, Siyabonga Cwele, told Parliament the bill would 'strengthen democracy while balancing transparency and protecting our national security and national interests'.
"Under the bill, espionage-related cases carry a punishment of up to 25 years in jail, and holding or disclosing classified material carries a maximum of five years' imprisonment. …"
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