'Bill a setback for the protection of openness, transparency and accountability'

TRADE union federation Cosatu yesterday threatened to refer the Protection of Information Bill to the Constitutional Court if the measure was passed by Parliament without major amendments.

"This bill is a significant setback for the protection of openness, transparency and accountability guaranteed by our Constitution," it said in a statement.

Apart from the fundamental substantive concerns Cosatu had with the proposed legislation, "no compelling reasons have been provided to explain why this bill is being rushed through Parliament".