The way has been paved for South Africa’s long-awaited new anti-terrorism legislation to come into effect, with its adoption in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
The Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Bill was approved in the National Assembly in November last year, and will now become law once President Thabo Mbeki has signed it.
In previous drafts the Bill was known as the Anti-Terrorism Bill, and the final Bill was redrafted from earlier versions, which were clearly unconstitutional and excessive.
The Bill seeks to strike a balance between the legitimate struggle by groups for their liberation within the confines of international law, and unjustified political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or other motives.
Among other things, it defines the concept of terrorist activity and creates an offence of terrorism in line with South Africa’s international obligations.
The process of drafting the Bill began in 1995, and it took at least four drafts to arrive at the final version.
The measure received the support of all sides of the House. — Sapa