The ANC government abused the National Key Points Act to cover up the Nkandla report and wants the public to willy-nilly believe whatever it says national key points are, even though there is no proof of it, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the Freedom Front Plus’ parliamentary leader said.
“It is actually a good example that this law was abused to cover up what had happened at Nkandla.
“What is the important strategic value of Nkandla for the country? What threat is there for South Africa if there is an attack on Nkandla? Who will in any case want to attack on Nkandla? This is the reality of the issue.
“The FF Plus agrees that there should be legislation on national key points. Terrorism is alive and well in the world today. That is why there should be such a law, but it should be clear.
“If an Amendment Bill lands on the table in parliament, there should be clear criteria which set out why a specific place or institution should be a national key point.
“As it stands at the moment, the Afrikaans saying pertains to the existing definition, i.e. it is as wide as God’s grace. One could turn three ox-wagons around in it. This is when it is abused by an ANC government trying to cover it up and South Africa cannot afford it.
“Naturally, there are military institutions, but there is no need for a National Key Points Act to protect it. The Defence Act provides for military institutions to be treated as restricted areas. This also goes for the Waterkloof Air Force base. There was also confusion then.
“You said that all the previous presidents’ homes were national key points. How do we know this? I have to accept your word for it, but I do not have any proof of it. I could trust you, but tomorrow there could be a new minister in your place whom I do not trust and then I will just have to accept his word again.
“It is unacceptable that when a minister says something is a national key point, then it is so. The FF Plus will support the Act but it will have to be amended. There should be a clear definition of when an installation is a national key point,” Dr. Groenewald said.
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