The day the ANC killed democracy

South Africa mourned the "death of democracy and the constitution" on Tuesday when the National Assembly passed the controversial Protection of State Information Bill.

Picketers, dressed in black, gathered in front of parliament in Cape Town and outside the ANC's offices in central Pretoria. About 100 journalists and members of the public picketed outside the ANC's national headquarters, Luthuli House, in downtown Johannesburg ahead of the voting.

In Pretoria, picketers organised by the National Press Club waved placards, some of which read: "No information means no accountability" and "Liar, liar on fire".

Guy McLaren, 46, a Pretoria handyman, said he had good enough reason to oppose the bill because he had lived through apartheid and had served in the apartheid military, which censored his letters to his girlfriend and family.

"They received letters that made no sense to them because of censorship. So I oppose all sorts of censorship and dictatorship.

"We cannot go back to the past," McLaren said.

Carina Garrett, 17, said the ANC-led government wanted to take away the nation's right to know. She said South Africans had to stand up and reject the proposed law.

"I know many people are against the bill but they just do not want to come out. I urge everyone to come out and say no to making corruption a state secret," she said.

"This piece of legislation, once passed, will be used to hide information to the detriment of the public."

Outside parliament, about 700 people demonstrated for four hours, with their songs of dissent reaching fever pitch.

The picketers chanted slogans such as: "We want corruption behind bars, not whistle-blowers".

A priest held up a placard reading: "[State Security] Minister [Siyabonga] Cwele: Paranoia is an illness. I am available for prayer."

Another protester accused President Jacob Zuma and Cwele of "raping freedom", playing on Zapiro's cartoon depicting Zuma unbuttoning his trousers and about to rape "Lady Justice" as his tripartite alliance colleagues look on.

At Luthuli House, a group of picketers organised by civil rights group Right To Know waved placards, some of which read: "What do you have to hide?" and "Jou ma se secrets (Your mother's secrets)".

Ghaleb Cachalia said he came from a family with a traceable struggle record. He said passing a bill that had the potential to hide corruption would be wrong.

Werner Teubes, a DA youth leader in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, vowed to chain himself to a pole outside the ANC's offices for seven days should the bill be passed.