NC refers ‘spy bill’ to committee

THE National Council yesterday referred the controversial Communications Bill to its Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for public scrutiny.

The National Council is Namibia second House of Parliament, which reviews legislation passed by the National Assembly. The motion that the Communications Bill should be referred to the committee was submitted by Swapo MP Hafeni Ndemula.Ndemula said the bill is very sensitive, judging by the public uproar it caused when it was debated in the National Assembly. ‘Some people are saying it is a spy bill, so it needs public scrutiny,’ said Ndemula.The move means that the NC Standing committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence will hold public meetings to see what the people think about the bill and present a report to the House.The bill provides for interception centres to be manned by secret service officers who can screen citizens’ e-mails, SMSes and Internet usage, including Internet banking.The bill was rejected by all 10 opposition MPs in the National Assembly earlier this month, while the 32 Swapo MPs with voting rights present on the day all voted in favour.Before the bill was put to the vote, the DTA requested that it be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, but Information and Communication Minister Joel Kaapanda argued it was unnecessary.