Slow start to secrecy bill hearing

A handful people were waiting in a church hall in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, on Tuesday morning for the beginning of a public hearing into the draft Protection of State Information Bill.

The event, organised by the National Council of Provinces, was scheduled to start at 9am, but at that time final arrangements were still being made on the podium and Parliamentary posters were being put up.

Tshwane metro police had closed Matlhare Street, outside the venue, to traffic.

Two public hearings on the so-called secrecy bill are scheduled in Gauteng. The second event takes place in Sharpeville, in the Sedibeng district.

National Press Club chairman Yusuf Abramjee would be one of the people making presentations on Tuesday.